On Thursday June 27^th, the Devon County Football Association hosted our annual Devon Football Family Awards at The Forge, Winslade Manor, in Exeter, and it was an opportunity to celebrate the work and dedication of volunteers across the county.

Over 150 guests attended the evening, including coaches, clubs and match officials, with both the FA’s Grassroots Football Awards, and the Devon Football Family Awards being presented.

David Fitzgerald hosted the evening, with England Under 17 International Mia Endacott a guest speaker on the night. Mia spoke about her experiences in the game, coming through the Devon Pathway, and now Plymouth Argyle Women, as well as her time with the England Under 17 squad, where she helped the team reach the final of the Under 17 European Championships.

There was also an opportunity to celebrate the success of the Devon Schools FA Under 14 Girls Squad, on the back of a fantastic season.

The team, coached by Matt Hodgson, reached the final of the English Schools Inter County Cup, where they lost on penalties to Lancashire, before beating Gloucestershire to win the Southwest Counties FA Cup earlier in June.

All 21 members of the squad were in attendance, where they were presented with a framed squad picture which will be on display at the Devon FA Headquarters at Coach Road.

John Street, Devon FA Chair of the Board of Directors said: “It was incredible to see the volunteers of the Devon Football Family recognised for all of their hard work and dedication.

“It fills me with great pride to be able to celebrate these incredible, clubs and individuals, and facilities because without them the opportunities provided at grassroots level wouldn’t be possible.”

You can view a gallery of the evening by clicking here

2024 Grassroots Football Award Winners

Club of the Year: Horrabridge Rangers Sports Association

League of the Year: Devon Walking Football League

Match Officials of the Year: Paul Sharples & Dan Shakespeare

Young Volunteer of the Year: Louise Dunridge

New Volunteer of the Year: Samantha Newman

Keeping Football Positive Award: Chardonnay James

Coach of the Year Female Pathway: Damien Armes

Coach of the Year Male Pathway: Steven Ison

Coach of the Year Disability Pathway: Aaron Uglow

The Lioness Award: Natasha Daniel

The Bobby Moore Award: Sam Stephens & Lee Simpson

Devon Football Family Award Winners

Long Service Award North: Tony Alcock

Long Service Award South: Jo McMyler

Long Service Award West: Mike Maunder

Long Service Award East: Graham Moore

The Charles Norsworthy Award North: Braunton Women

The Charles Norsworthy Award South: Watcombe Wanderers 2^nd

The Charles Norsworthy Award West: Whitleigh Youth

The Charles Norsworthy Award East: Exeter City Women

The Charles Norsworthy Award Overall: Whitleigh Youth

The Paul Morrison Club Official of the Year: Alan Blake

Safeguarding Award: Luan Lacy

Recreational Session of the Year: Heather Jones

Community Facility of the Year: Newton Poppleford Playing Field Foundation

Young Referees of the Year: Harry Wright & Jessica Hodson

Referee Developer of the Year: Adrian Codling

Devon FA Girls Representative Team Player of the Season: Sophie Pearse

Devon FA Boys Representative Team Player of the Season: Cody Stansfield

Long Service to Refereeing

40 years – Mike Mullarkey, Tom Sampson, Roger Martin

50 years – Richard Turl, Robert Stevens

Refereeing Special Recognition Award

Lee Swabey – 200 EFL Games Refereed