NSCG Student is England Football’s Young Volunteer of the Year
28 August 2026
Laila Bowcock-Gayle, who recently completed her Level 3 BTEC Extended Diploma in Sport with DDD*, has added to her impressive list of achievements by winning England Football’s Young Volunteer of the Year in the Grassroots Football Awards 2026.
The Grassroots Football Awards annually celebrate the unique and inspiring individuals whose impact across the England Football Family helps to shape and strengthen the game.
Presented by Howdens, the ceremony was held at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff and was hosted by Match of the Day’s Mark Chapman. The event also featured England legends including Rachel Yankey OBE, Paul Merson, Sue Smith and Aaron Lennon as special guests, alongside Debbie Hewitt and Mark Bullingham, who presented the awards.
Laila was presented with the Young Volunteer of the Year award for her ongoing commitment to football and her efforts to inspire the next generation of female players while destigmatising mental health.
Laila says: “It’s important that young people have a voice in sport and football. They’re the ones that are going to be in these roles in the future. My role in football is in the youth leadership setting and coaching. Football has helped a lot with my mental health and it needs to be destigmatised. My fellow project is supporting players’ mental health and how they can use different communication strategies with their players. I’m quite proud of myself for actually stepping out of my comfort zone and doing new things.
“I love making a change and impacting the community.”
