Congratulations to Dearne and District FC under 8's coach Tom Townend, who has been selected by our external judging panel as the County FA winner of the Coach of the Year Male Pathway category as part of England Football’s Grassroots Football Awards.

Tom formed the team in 2023 and has created a thriving learning environment, helping young players to enjoy the game while also supporting their development.

By building relationships between players, parents and coaches, Tom has managed to form a close-knit team where everybody is welcomed and supported.

He has tailored his training sessions to provide equal opportunities to all players, regardless of their skill level, to ensure every player has a fun experience.

Ben Hickling, a parent of a player in Tom’s team, nominated Tom because he puts his heart and soul into coaching and is a role model to every single player.

Ben said: “For such a young man, the confidence and time he gives each player is outstanding. His personal touch with all the lads, encouragement and the way he motivates 8 year old players is something I’ve never seen before.

“The team love him and so do the parents we can’t thank him enough for what he is doing for our children.”

Click here to find out more about the England Football Grassroots Football Awards.