Mutual Respect Awards

Frinton’s Aynsley Wins Nationwide ‘Mutual Respect’ Award

Nominations Now Open for Next Grassroots Hero Winner

Frinton & Walton YFC’s Aynsley Davidson has been confirmed as the Nationwide ‘Mutual Respect’ Award winner for May as recognition of his incredible long-term commitment to his grassroots football club across multiple roles.

The award, part of the England Football Respect Campaign, aims to help make the grassroots game more respectful and positive. FA Respect partners, Nationwide, give nominees the chance of winning the trophy as a thank you for contributions to making society more tolerant and inclusive.

Nationwide’s panel of judges decide the winner based on what the nominees have done to promote mutual respect, either on or off the pitch. Anyone can nominate their child, their referees, officials, a parent helper or a club, and one nomination can be made every month.

Davidson reacted: “I’ve been involved with Frinton & Walton Youth FC for eleven years and in that time served as a manager, coach, vice-chairman, coach mentor and procurement officer. I am now chairman and coach our reserves and Under 12s Girls. Our club serves the seaside towns of Frinton and Walton and aims to provide football opportunities for all, irrespective of age or ability.”

“During my time with the club, we have progressed from being solely a youth football club for boys. We have developed a thriving girls’ section and established a men’s team, setting in place a pathway from youth to adult football. This year we opened our Wildcats and Just Play centres, offering recreational football for primary school-age girls and women aged over 16 respectively.”

“We are proud of our place in our community and have successfully brought community buildings back into use. We took over a disused clubhouse on a council park and secured funding to renovate the building, giving us our very first permanent home.”

“We also worked with our local council to refurbish and reopen disused changing rooms. Our involvement in the community goes beyond football. We hold fundraising events for charities, take part in key community events such as carnivals and remembrance days, and support a local football summer academy.”

“Development and mutual respect are at the heart of our club. As well as offering young people the chance to play football, we also encourage and actively support them to gain experience and qualifications in coaching, refereeing and young leadership.”

“We have big plans to continue the club’s progression, including a refurbishment of our clubhouse, pitch improvements and drainage, setting-up a women’s team and, ultimately, getting a 3G pitch. Although I am Club Chairman, I rely on the drive, hard work and support of our team of volunteer managers, coaches and committee members as we strive to be a beacon in our community.”

You can nominate your child, their referees, officials, a parent helper or a club by following this link. You can make one nomination per month. Nominations close at 11:59pm on the 21st of each month.



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