Nominations are now open for Kent FA’s annual Grassroots Football Awards.

The awards are split into categories and anybody can nominate through an online portal. The Kent FA will select their local winner to form a shortlist for the FA national winners, which are selected by a national judging panel.

The categories are for coach of the year for adults, project of the year, coach of the year for youth, rising star, club of the year, match official of the year, league of the year, grounds team of the year, volunteer of the year and the spirit of grassroots football award.

Launching the nomination process, the Kent FA said: “These are for people who make a positive difference to our beautiful game. It’s our way of recognising and celebrating the fantastic individuals who put their heart and soul into the grassroots game across Kent – and say a huge thank you to the incredible volunteers who inspire us all.

This season our grassroots volunteers have adapted to the ever-changing coronavirus pandemic. They responded quickly to make football happen when they could. And when they couldn’t play they kept players, volunteers and the wider community connected off the pitch.

“They demonstrated the true power of football, they stuck together, helped each other across teams, across clubs and showed what the football community could do when faced with uncertainty and an unparalleled situation.”

Maidstone & Mid Kent Sunday Football League won the Grassroots League of the Year 2020 and they responded by saying: “We were delighted not only to have been nominated but to win this prestigious award.

“The last season and a bit have been the most challenging for all of us but our committee have taken on projects during the lockdown to enhance the league, we built a new website, helped clubs gain charter standard status and helped clubs come to terms with all the Covid measures.

“We dedicate the award to two long standing committee members that have recently passed away, without their valuable time and input we wouldn’t be in the position we are and we salute them both.”

New for 2021, Kent FA have also launched The Colin Boswell Young Referee of the Year Award. Sadly, in May 2020, Colin Boswell, former Kent FA President, passed away after a short battle with cancer. He was also a Football League referee in his time.

Kent FA’s chief exec Darryl Haden said: “This new award is a fitting tribute to Colin, who dedicated so much of his life to Kent Football, and as a County FA we are very proud to be able to launch this as part of our grassroots awards for 2021. Colin was very supportive of young referees across the county and took great pleasure in seeing them develop. We look forward to receiving the nominations for young referee of the year.” The award is open to affiliated referees aged 14-21.

The closing date for all awards is Tuesday, May 4 and can be made through the Kent FA website.