Hertfordshire FA Grassroots Football Awards took place in Letchworth last week with Bury Rangers receiving two awards across the celebration of all things outstanding about grassroots football being played across Hertfordshire.

On the evening the coveted awards were:
1. Volunteer of the Year.
2. Match Official of the Year.
3. Grounds Team of the Year.
4. Community Project of the Year.
5. Youth Volunteer of the Year.
6. Respect Award
7. Charter Standard Club of the Year.
8. Coach of the Year.

Bury Rangers U11 Player Axel Brett, received the Respect Award for showing courage and conviction in the principles of Respect in football when playing in this summer’s Knebworth tournament.

When playing in the final of the tournament three spectators laughed and used derogative comments towards one of our injured players and in a tense and strained atmosphere Axel approached the spectators in a very calm and mature manner and confronted all three and told them they were acting in an unacceptable manner and diffused the tension and situation.

Bury went in the win the final and Axel won the admiration of many present at game who had witnessed his actions.

The last award of the evening was Hertfordshire FA Coach of the Year which was voted for through the FA Grassroots Heroes initiative.

“Our 2018 Grassroots Football Awards Coach of the Year goes to Jason Levy of @BuryOfficial. Well done Jason! #GRHeroes18”

Jason Levy was voted Coach of the Year, and upon presentation was asked a couple of questions by the evening’s host.

Q: What qualities are key to being a good coach ?

A: Understanding, Understanding that children develop at different times and paces.... and also ensuring that you give attention to everyone.

Q: What outcomes are you looking for to achieve with the players?

A: As I said, Children develop at different times so those targets are different for everyone, the important thing with kids as we have here clubs with football for all ethos’s but the key focus should be equal opportunity, that being the equal opportunity for players to receive the best coaching regardless of what standard and quality they are playing at.

Q: So what would you say if you could change anything about football ?

A: Fun, make it fun all the time for kids, just making sure that there’s no pressure on children when they play, whether that come from coaches or whether that come from parents.
Just make sure the kids are always enjoying it !

Jason expressed his thanks to the many supportive parents behind our enthusiastic players, sharing and promoting the Bury way and enjoying football played, coached and watched at the highest standards.

Both Axel and Jason were extremely proud to be presented with awards in the company of a full representation of clubs across our county and by our FA.

An outstanding evening for Bury Rangers which further demonstrated our approach to football, our club principles and the standards to which we all strive to achieve.