There are many people who make a real difference to grassroots football by giving their time to run the game.

Suffolk FA Community Awards

This award aims to recognise and reward the unsung heroes of grassroots football in communities across England.

Here are the categories for people to make their nominations:

• Outstanding Contribution Award (voted for the public at national level)
• The FA Charter Standard Community Award
• The FA Charter Standard Development Award
• The FA Charter Standard League Award
• Volunteer of the Year Award
• Coach of the Year Award

The winners of the Suffolk FA Community Awards are then entered into an Eastern Region heat and the winners of these awards are then put forward for The FA's Community Awards. The national winners are chosen by a panel comprising of Sir Trevor Brooking, Sir Geoff Hurst and sports journalists from the national press. The competition is sponsored by The FA's community partner McDonald's.

Suffolk FA Referee Awards

The awards aim to reward referees, highlight the good work they do, ensure those currently refereeing remain in the game, and encourage new talent to become referees.

The competition’s categories include:

1. Outstanding Contribution to Refereeing
2. The 18-25 Referee Award for Outstanding Performance and Contribution
3. Women Referee Award for Outstanding Performance and Contribution in Refereeing
4. Outstanding Contribution to Refereeing from a local Partner League involved within the National Referee Development Programme (NRDP)
5. Outstanding Contribution to Refereeing within a Development Setting (must be over 18 years of age)
6. Outstanding Contribution to Refereeing from volunteers (mentors, tutors, coaches and assessors)

There will be an online nomination process which will go live on Monday, 5^th November. To learn more about the competition please click here  

Groundsman of the Year

This award honours the contribution made by groundsmen from clubs from across Suffolk in Step 7 or below.

The winner will receive vouchers to be spent at Mark Harrod, a retailer of high class sporting products which include goalposts, who currently sponsor the competition.

They will also be entered into The FA's national competition where the winners of each category will attend a 'winners day' at Wembley.

The prizes include:

• A tour of Wembley
• A pitch walk led by the ground staff
• A Q and A session with the Head Groundsmen at Wembley and St George's Park, England's multi million pound state-of-the-art training complex
• A trophy presentation ceremony

Suffolk FA Community Awards 2012 Winners

Outstanding Contribution to Community Football Award
Christine Abraham (Framlingham Town Youth)

The FA Charter Standard Community Award 
Fiona Whatling (Framlingham Town Youth)

The FA Charter Standard Development Club Award
Ian Wearing (Stowupland Falcons Youth) 

The FA Charter Standard Club Award
Jonathan Warnock (Sporting 87)

The FA Charter Standard League Award
Paul Newby (Norfolk and Suffolk Youth League) 

Volunteer of the Year Award
Darren Brown (Sporting 87) 

Young Volunteer of the Year Award
Kelly Scrutton (Copleston Girls)

Coach of the Year Award
Shaun Swan (Waveney Youth)