Hard work pays off for award-winning league

Just under 200 nominations were submitted by local clubs for 10 awards from the Birmingham County FA.

The Stourbridge league emerged victorious as the league of the year and Cave believes their hard work has paid off after an uncertain period throughout the coronavirus pandemic.

“We’re delighted – it’s been a very awkward season this year with Covid-19, but we’re absolutely delighted that we’ve won it,” she said. “We’re one of the largest leagues in the country with around 6,000 children playing.

“They work hard and what they do, they enjoy it and it’s nice to see us win something for them.

“It’s nice to know they’re still thinking about us as we battled on through coronavirus.

“It has been disappointing as we’ve not been able to have our cup finals or presentation evening.

“The seasons were cancelled and there are a lot of disappointed kids and managers out there, so it’s nice to have this.”

The league’s work in developing the game for girls was cited as a major reason for winning the award and Cave insists it is still growing.

“We did have a very good girls league a few years ago but it died out,” she added. “Now, we have a good committee who are keen on getting girls into football and they have worked very hard over the last two seasons to get it going.

“We have even more girls coming in for next season, with under-15s for the first time, so it’s good to see them getting into the game.”

All 10 winners will now go forward and represent the Birmingham County FA at the regional stage of the competition.

“That is great to look forward to,” Cave said. “It’s wonderful for the area. Sometimes our youths in the Black Country get some bad press and it’s good to see them doing something and achieving something.

“We work hard at that, getting kids off the street and playing football, and on a Sunday you can see it.

“We have a futsal league on a Friday night too, so it’s good to see the kids doing something with their time.”

Birmingham County FA business insight manager, Richard Lindsay, added: “Birmingham County FA fully appreciates that without the help, support and passionate dedication of its grassroots volunteers, football simply would not happen in our region.

“Through the FA and McDonald’s Grassroots Football Awards we are able to recognise individuals, clubs, teams, leagues and supporters who have gone above and beyond to make football a success both on and off the field.

“This year more than ever we have seen the positive impact local volunteers have had on communities and we have been bowled over by the way grassroots football has pulled together to offer its support during the most challenging of times

.”