GFA

Grassroots Rising Star of the Year Award

Back in August, London FA announced our winners for the 2021 Grassroots Football Awards.

We are catching up with all of our winners and hearing more about their stories. 
 
Next up, we are speaking to Head of Coaching at Foots Cray Lions JFC Oliver Forde, who won Grassroots Rising Star of the Year. Oliver has been a part of football for majority of his life and now champions refereeing and coaching for his club. 
 
After his coaching placement in America was cut shorts due to COVID-19, Oliver returned to volunteering at Foots Cray Lions to become Head of Coaching. He worked on multiple session plans for coaching to in-cooperate COVID specification, supporting coaches from under 8s to adults. This was all achieved while refereeing on Sundays and completing his university degree. Oliver's involvement allowed the club to return to football during the different stages of lock down and gave their young players the opportunity to play in a safe and fun environment.

Oliver Forde 

How did you feel when you won this award?
 
Ecstatic, rewarded and recognised for my work with the local football club!
 
What are you excited for in the 2021-2022 season?
 
Developing young players in their technical skills, tactical knowledge and social skills. Further enhancing volunteer coaches in their delivery of sessions both verbally and practically and assisting in the new philosophy for the style of play the club has to offer making them unique to other clubs in the local area. Furthermore, adding to new innovative sessions throughout the year for the players at the club. 
 
What are the biggest challenges that you will face within the 2021-2022 season?
 
Producing new drills and sessions and adding all of these to the portal I produced for the managers to keep their sessions fun but focussed on the players development.
 
What is your biggest motivation for your role within grassroots football?
 
Seeing the players develop in a positive environment where the style of play on a match day encourages them to feel confident on the ball and play good football as a team. 
 

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