Hailey Collins Award

Hailey Collins Awarded Spirit of Grassroots Football Award

Hailey received the award after her contribution to St Agnes AFC’s disability provision.

Cornwall FA were delighted to visit Hailey Collins to present the Spirit of Grassroots Award as part of the FA and McDonald’s Grassroots Awards 2021. 

The Spirit of Grassroots Award recognises individuals/clubs/leagues who go above and beyond to make sure their community stay happy, healthy and connected. This is more than just playing, but about the power of football to support mental health, positivity and building a football family. It’s for those who think about the whole player and volunteers as developing people rather than just producing players or winning matches. Supporting each other in a safe, fun and fair environment on and off the pitch.

Hailey has demonstrated her desire to go above and beyond to ensure the players of St Agnes AFC DisAbility remained active and positive during the lockdown period. In particular, Hailey arranged a sponsored physical challenge fundraiser which the players (and Hailey) took part in followed by various online Zoom sessions which allowed the players to stay connected during lockdown, remaining engaged in a positive and uplifting manner.

Hailey has always enjoyed sports, in particular football and the opportunity to become a coach has given Hailey the opportunity to provide positive experiences for the players she works with. Hailey added, “I enjoyed sports and used sport to help with my own wellbeing. I would finish training and feel happy and excited to go back this is my reason for getting into coaching by being able to provide that opportunity for others to take part, have fun and gain new skills which can transfer into life such as team building, resilience”.
When asked why she gives up her time to carry out her coaching role Hailey expressed, “I want to provide opportunities to access sport and have the great feeling of being part of a club/team that cares and wants to help individuals get the most out of their time at football developing socially, physically, psychologically or technically. I give up my time in hope that I can have a positive impact on someone’s life and be a positive role model to help others along their journey”.

Hailey was grateful for winning this award, adding “winning this award helps me to feel recognised for the work I have done and also, I am honoured to have someone around me who cares enough for me to want to spend the time nominating me”.

Cornwall FA would like to congratulate Hailey on winning the Spirit of Grassroots Football Award.