Grassroots Football Awards

Find out why Oxford's Diversity Football League picked up our Project of the Year

This month sees all of our winners revealed in the FA Grassroots Football Awards, supported by McDonald's. We'll be unveiling a winner each day via our @FA Twitter account between Sunday 16 August and Friday 28 August in the build-up to the FA Community Shield supported by McDonald's, when our winners would usually be present to collect their awards. Today, we hear about a special project promoting diversity in Oxford...

Wednesday 12 Aug 2020
Two teams in action at the Oxford Diversity League earlier this year

Oxford’s Diversity Football League is a thrilling multi-national game changer.

Under the unifying flag of football, an exciting mix of representatives from BAME communities across Oxford come together to enjoy themselves and put their skills to the test on the pitch each week.

Teams including Sudan FC and Kurdish FC compete in an organised league, where players from Oxford’s Kurdish, Eritrean, Nigerian, Romanian, Syrian and Pakistani communities take part.

It’s an exciting festival of football with a big draw locally, making a positive impact upon over 14 Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic groups over the last 12 months.

Through a huge range of outreach, football and coaching projects, Diversity Football is broadening horizons, enriching lives and instilling worthy values among those in the community who might otherwise lack opportunities due to their socio-economic status.

Hassan Sabrie (R) and Mujahid Hamidi are directors of the Diversity Football League in Oxford

Diversity Football has realised that it's in a unique position to engage the young men who play, and enhance their lives.

Last year they successfully raised awareness of NHS Health Checks among BAME groups, an initiative that reached over 300 men from 22 different nationalities.

SEE THE WINNERS IN OUR GRASSROOTS FOOTBALL AWARDS SUPPORTED BY MCDONALD’S
By FA Staff