This month’s #CelebrateEssex category of ‘Footie Dad’ coincides with Volunteers’ Week between 1st and 7th June, and nominations are now being welcomed for an inspirational figure by Saturday 9th June to win the ourlatest award.

#CelebrateEssex, organised through our Twitter account at @EssexCountyFA, aims to promote inspirational personal examples and stories, encouraging new faces to get involved and grow the grassroots community. Once nominations close, a select group will be chosen for a Twitter poll to identify the monthly winner, who’ll receive a prize and extra public plaudits.

June is the month of the ‘Footie Dad’ category. A ‘Footy Dad’ could be due a special mention for the support they offer their son or daughter before, during or after a game in any number of ways. They could help to make sure their ‘star player’ gets to training safely, enjoys participating in matches and is encouraged to do their best, providing encouragement afterwards… win, lose or draw.

Volunteers’ Week is a chance to say thank you for the fantastic contribution millions of volunteers make across the UK. It takes place in the first week of June every year and is an opportunity to celebrate volunteering in all its diversity. During the week, hundreds of events and celebrations take place across the country, including in Essex.

Nominations for each month’s #CelebrateEssex category winner are collected, analysed and whittled down into candidates for a Twitter online poll/vote. This lasts for seven days, after which a winner is named and celebrated. During Volunteers’ Week, nominees are also invited to tweet a 30-second video to explain why their ‘Footie Dad’ is the best!

A #CelebrateEssex web page will soon feature the details of the project, a schedule of forthcoming votes and a listing of previous winners. So far Frinton & Walton Youth’s Lisa Ursell has been named as the ‘Footie Mum’ winner, five-year-old Grays Athletic fan Millie has claimed the ‘Supporter’ triumph and Concord Rangers’ Jack Smith won the ‘Treasurer’ category in May.

The competition will also eventually feature: July: Chairperson, August: Manager, September: Secretary, October: Welfare Officer, November: Young Volunteer, December: Fundraiser, January: Groundsperson, February: Coach.

Stage One: Make Your Nomination on Twitter

If you know a Footie Dad who you think should receive some special thanks, anyone can make a nomination by tweeting (by 9th June):

“I nominate [Insert Name/Handle] as @EssexCountyFA #CelebrateEssex Footie Dad because…”

State why your nominee should be the winner and be as descriptive as you can in 280 characters! It’s important to use the #CelebrateEssex hashtag to ensure your entry is registered.

Stage Two: Nominations Reviewed

Once the window closes, all the nominations received will be collated and a panel will decide which individuals will be progressed to the Twitter poll/vote...

Stage Three: Let Voting Commence!

A Twitter poll/vote will be available at @EssexCountyFA for seven days, featuring profiles of the nominees so voters can make an informed decision on who to vote for.

Stage Four: And Our Winner Is…

The winner of the poll will be contacted to be that month’s ‘Volunteer of the Month’, who’ll receive a prize plus promotional activities to celebrate their work.

Follow the #CelebrateEssex hashtag on Twitter to keep track of the competition! To find out more about volunteering in grassroots Essex football, visit the 'Volunteers' menu at the top of the page, follow @EssexCountyFA on Twitter and search for ‘EssexFootball’ on Facebook. Find out more about Volunteers’ Week at www.volunteersweek.org.