The nomination window for the Grassroots Football Awards has opened for 2024, with 15 accolades up for grabs.

The awards are run annually by Oxfordshire FA and recognise the game's unsung heroes for their commitment to providing football for their respective communities.

Last year's Club of the Year, Rotherfield United, shared the impact of the recognition.

Club chair, Andy Tidswell, said: "It’s [the award] now part of our story, and that’s been very powerful in engaging with members of the wider community, whether they be participants, volunteers or sponsors.

"The first thing we did was to get the award on our website and social media.

"We wanted to share the good news with the world.

"We feel it’s important that a parent can visit our website and see that we’re not only England Football Accredited, but also winner of a Club of the Year award.

"It hopefully helps them determine whether the club is right for their child, but beyond that, to anyone, it hopefully provides a great first impression.”

In the 2022/23 season, Rotherfield United increased its membership from 150 to 450.

They aimed to establish themselves as a community club - open and accessible for everyone, irrespective of their age or ability.

They also welcomed NHS patients seeking to improve their physical and mental health.

Mr Tidswell explained that the club's development plan focused on fostering women and girls' football and becoming a more inclusive community club.

This plan coincided with the club's 50th anniversary

He continued: "We’re very fortunate to have our own grounds and facilities, which enabled us to expand our membership.

"Through Oxfordshire FA, the Football Foundation and Sport England, clubs can really benefit."

As part of the club's efforts to get more women and girls playing, they have hosted Weetabix Wildcats and Squad Girls Football sessions.

Mr Tidswell said: "Typically, a six, seven or eight-year-old girl is less likely to join a team with 14 or 15 boys there.

"So, the question is ‘how do you take that next step?’ The creation of Wildcats and Squad provided us with a way in which we could take that opportunity and see if it worked for us, which it has.

"We worked with Oxfordshire FA to become a Wildcats centre, which was approved.

"Hard work started from there, as we worked to get a nucleus of girls together."

Nominations for the awards are now open and can be made on the Oxfordshire FA website.

The 15 awards offer recognition for clubs, coaches, volunteers, and match officials.