London FA is proud to launch the Positive Parent Behaviour Charter – a new initiative tackling poor behaviour in youth football.
With thanks to our referees, research shows that players as young as 11 are already picking up negative behaviours. The Charter sets clear boundaries for parents, guardians, and spectators to help create a safer, more respectful game for everyone.
Your behaviour on the sideline has a long-term impact on young players and supporters. Let’s break the cycle, together.
London, it’s our city. Football, it’s our game.
We’re proud to unveil our new four-year strategic initiative, “London For All”, as well as our new modernised brand. The strategy is aimed at enhancing grassroots football across our city and you can find out more by following our social channels throughout today!
#LondonForAll
5️⃣ Five stops with five important commitments to the London football community. Thank you to everyone that joined us in person and online to launch London For All.
London, it’s our city. Football, it’s our game.
#LondonForAll
It is our final announcement of the day, the Bobby Moore Award, sponsored by INTIX. This award honours those individuals who have dedicated decades to the grassroots game.
🌟 Rocky McMillan (Chislehurst Glebe FC): For over 30 years, Rocky has been the architect of Chislehurst Glebe FC. He transformed a single team into a hub of 35 teams and 500+ players, securing a £1.4 million facility. From nurturing professional talents to championing mental health initiatives, his impact is generational.
🌟 Dr Zakir Khan (Sporting Bengal Foundation): A transformative leader for over 40 years. Zakir co-founded the Asian League in 1996 as a haven from racial hostility and has since supported over 25,000 South Asian players. From pioneering semi-pro pathways to establishing walking football and supporting refugees, his career has been dedicated to dismantling barriers.
Our penultimate finalist announcements are for The Lioness Award. This award recognises people who are breaking down the barriers and proving football is a place where everyone truly belongs, encompassing the Lioness mentality.
🦁 Emily Hill & Beth Towle (South London Laces): Founders of an inclusive club for women and non-binary players, Beth and Em have grown South London Laces to 150 members and five competitive teams. Their impact is life changing. From mindset coaching for minority players to even housing members in need, they have created a chosen family where the ethos is this is what a footballer looks like.
🦁 Yemisi Ebofin (Yemstars): A transformative force in our community, Yem balances playing for London Galaxy with leading her own voluntary organisation, Yemstars. She creates inclusive spaces across the city for all ages and skill levels, providing vital representation and building confidence for the next generation of female players.
Next up, we have the finalists for the Positive Behaviour Award! These are the people who go above and beyond to ensure London football is safe, respectful, and inclusive for all.
🔹Liam Murtagh (Camden & Islington Youth League): A vital pillar who has transformed the league’s disciplinary approach from penalties to support and education. By focusing on raising standards and fostering a culture of respect, Liam ensures the league remains a gold standard for youth football.
🔹Richard Buck (Alexandra Park Youth): As Club Welfare Officer for one of North London’s largest clubs, Richard oversees safeguarding for nearly 1,000 players. He has fostered a deep culture of trust, ensuring parents have total confidence and players feel empowered to speak up.
We are proud to announce the finalists for League of the Year, sponsored by Sportsguard. These two league are doing amazing work to ensure football is safe, inclusive, and professional for all.
🏆 Camden & Islington Youth Football League: A North London institution since 1969. With 2,900 players and a 91% accreditation rate, they are leading the way as an FA Code of Governance pilot, providing vital pathways into leadership and actively combating local gang culture.
🏆 Islington Midweek League: A true "Referee Centre of Excellence". By using match footage and senior mentorship to develop officials, they’ve created a high-standard, respectful environment that serves as a leading example of forward-thinking governance.
These are our finalists for Coach of the Year (Male Pathway)! These coaches are being recognised for their ability to nurture talent while instilling life-long values to the next generation.
⚽️ Mohamed Sharif (R77): With nearly 20 years of experience, Mohamed masterfully blends grassroots basics with elite progression. His coaching style allows him to simplifying complex tactics into engaging drills and has helped numerous players secure academy places. Beyond the pitch, he mentors his players to succeed in education and fosters a culture of unity.
⚽️ Ryan Canty (Metrogas): A dedicated volunteer who has nurtured his Metrogas U11s group since they were just six years old. Ryan’s impact is seen in the personal growth of his players, transforming young children into confident social athletes through consistent praise and infectious positivity.
We are honoured to announce the finalists for Coach of the Year (Disability Pathway), sponsored by Globe Print. These coaches have dedicated themselves to creating opportunities and safe spaces for disabled players in London.
⚽Emily Alud (Southwark Stars): A former US scholarship athlete, Emily uses her high-level experience to elevate the club's disability pathways. By balancing elite drills with a supportive environment, she has significantly increased technical skills while acting as a role model for both the men’s and women’s sides.
⚽Junior Ogunyemi (Highgate Rangers): Junior recognised a critical gap in local provision and launched a weekly SEND programme for children aged 6–13. A self-funding the initiative, he uses his patient, adaptive coaching to foster confidence and belonging for over 20 children and their families.
We are incredible proud to announce the finalists for Coach of the Year (Female Pathway), sponsored by Nest! These two coaches are doing more than standing on the sideline on matchday. They are building a future where every girl feels she belongs on the pitch.
⚽ Claire Rollinson (Tulse Hill Juniors): The cornerstone of girls' football at her club. In just six years, Claire has grown the female section from one team to seven, supporting over 100 players. A UEFA C coach, she spends her Saturdays mentoring volunteers and delivering the high-standard sessions she meticulously plans all week.
⚽ Sara Fahad (4CornerFC & Ryan FC): With a decade of experience and a UEFA C qualification, Sara is a driving force in the girls' game. As a Muslim female coach, she provides vital visible representation, breaking barriers and fostering technical skill and confidence in every player she mentors.
Without pitches, there is no game. We are delighted to announce our finalists for Grounds Team of the Year, to celebrate those individuals who work behind the scenes to ensure London’s grassroots players have the pitches to play on.
🌱 David Potter (Teviot Rangers): For over 15 years, Dave has been vital to Teviot Rangers. Managing 27 teams alongside a professional workload, he works year-round to ensure the grounds are match-ready, regardless of the weather. His calm and selfless commitment makes him an indispensable person to the club.
🌱 Tom Lawrence (John Roan School Playing Fields): A father-and-son duo driven by a personal connection to the school. Together, they maintain the John Roan pitches to an exceptional standard, ensuring students and local teams have access to high-quality facilities.
We are thrilled to announce our finalists for New Volunteer of the Year, the individuals who have stepped up over the last season to support football in their area.
✨ George Dolby (Greenwich District): George has transformed the Greenwich District football programme, expanding a non-funded initiative to four squads ranging from U11 to U13. By managing everything from talent ID to national logistics, he has created elite pathways and a diverse environment that builds community pride.
✨ Jack Koushi (Barnet Sunday League): A vital pillar of the league, Jack balances the being League Fixtures Secretary while managing his own club. Beyond his official duties, he regularly referees youth matches for free in the Watford Friendly League, ensuring grassroots football continues to thrive through his problem-solver mindset.
