David Drew recognised as an FA Grassroots Champion by Gloucestershire FA as part of The FA’s #FootballFootprint campaign 

David Drew MP visited Rodborough Youth FC for their annual award presentation this weekend as part of The Football Association’s #FootballFootprint Campaign  

David also received a Grassroots Champion award from the Gloucestershire FA to recognise his ongoing support for the grassroots game  

David Drew, MP for Stroud, joined Rodborough Youth FC for their annual award presentation on Saturday 11 May where he learnt more about how investments through The FA and Gloucestershire FA are widening grassroots participation and improving facilities in the local community.

 During the visit, David presented trophies to some of the club’s budding young players before receiving an unexpected award of his own from the Gloucestershire FA who honoured him as a Grassroots Champion in recognition of his support for the grassroots game in Stroud. 
 At the event, David also met with girls from the Rodborough SSE Wildcats which is an initiative designed to inspire girls aged between 5-11 to be involved in the sport. Across Gloucestershire, 38 SSE Wildcats Centres are being delivered and the number of girls participating in Stroud has continued to grow at pace with plans now in place to start an U8 team later this year. For more information, visit www.gloucestershirefa.com/players/youth/wildcats 
 This visit is part of the #FootballFootprint Campaign which is being run by The FA, the not-forprofit national governing body for the game in England, in conjunction with local County FAs. The campaign is giving MPs an opportunity to meet with the army of workers and volunteers that make grassroots football possible at a local level and to visit showcase sites, initiatives and matches.  
 David Drew MP said: 

“I was delighted to visit Rodborough Youth FC as part of the #FootballFootprint campaign to find out more about the fantastic work being done in Stroud to support grassroots football including the big push to get more girls involved in the sport. Around 200 young people attended the event and it was great to see first hand the positive impact that football has on their lives, showing just how important investment in these grassroots sites and initiatives is.” 
 Matt Boucher, Football Development Manager at the Gloucestershire FA said: 

“We were delighted to show David some of the great work being done locally to support grassroots football. Our staff and volunteers help the Gloucestershire FA support over 2,400 teams in the county so we were thrilled to participate in the FA’s #FootballFootprint campaign which champions their hard work and dedication to the game.”