2019/20 Fair Play Awards Launched!
Acts of exceptionally good conduct and sportsmanship in grassroots football from 1st July to 31st October could be worthy of a reward as the Essex County FA Fair Play Awards are re-launched for the 2019/20 season, with nominations now welcomed.
Submissions can be made for the pre-season to October stage of the awards, which are required on Facebook by Thursday 31st October. Monthly winners will be awarded throughout the season, building towards an overall vote for the 2019/20 victors in June. Anyone who witnessed a specific act at a match can put an individual or team forward to be a potential winner.
As part of the 2018-21 ‘Moving Forward’ Strategy, the County FA aim to promote exceptional conduct and celebrate the best elements of the game, encouraging similar behaviour in all formats of youth and adult football. A voucher will be awarded to the winners and Helen Hever, Essex County FA Designated Safeguarding Officer is looking forward to assessing the nominations.
Helen said: “This is a wonderful opportunity to recognise everyone who embraces fair play, making the football experience more enjoyable for all involved. Football is, of course, a competitive game, so having an award for fair play gives us a chance to reward those who are nominated for their sportsmanship and attitude towards how the game should be played.”
Nominations are open until Thursday 31st October to recognise fair play which took place in the early stages of 2019/20. To put someone forward, comment on this Facebook post (search for ‘EssexFootball’) with these details: yours and the nominee’s name (club/team and age group, where applicable), a description of why your nominee should win. Good luck!
Essex County FA Fair Play Awards: 2018/19’s Top Three
First: Hedinghams United Under 12s (Hawks) (nominated by Ben Elmer)
“Hedinghams provided a guard of honour for Tiptree Jobserve Under 12s after they won the league. Ahead of their semi-final in the Knockout Cup, United lined-up and clapped the Tiptree Jobserve squad onto the pitch, showing fantastic fair play from their team and manager.”
Second: Hullbridge Sports Under 16s (nominated by Simon Silva-Peake)
“My son’s team were losing 1-0 with eight minutes to play and scored twice to get a deserved win. What really impressed me was the sportsmanship from the coaches, players and parents of Hullbridge. My son plays in goal and he played amazingly, making a dozen or so really good saves. Each time he did, the parents applauded him and, with one save, a player from Hullbridge went over to him after the shot and shook his hand. At full time, despite losing, every player went and congratulated him. Then the two coaches from Hullbridge made a point of telling him how good he was and then the parents all shook his hand as well. Things like this don’t happen enough and, at Under 16s level, full of teenage attitude, this was amazing to see, especially as they had lost.”
Third: Daniel Garfinkle, Epping Town FC (nominated by Billy Cove)
“0-3 up, we are on the attack. Their ‘keeper makes a save but collides with the post and goes down injured... we have an open goal... Epping Town forward @danielgarfinkle stops the ball, turns around and kicks it out for a throw-in so the ‘keeper can get some treatment.”