Stacey Savage, a youth football volunteer and mum of three from Halewood has been awarded the Nationwide Mutual Respect Award for her efforts in supporting and nurturing the young local grassroots scene, as well as starting her own league.
Savage was a midwife in training before she had her three children, one of whom has disabilities. Now caring for them full-time, the 38-year-old decided to collaborate with other parents to form support groups for those in similar situations. She has also played a crucial part in launching the Merseyside Youth Football League (MYFL)
After finding it difficult to find a football club for their son, she and her family decided to take matters into their own hands by forming a team of their own, Inny Boys F.C.
Savage told the FA in an interview: “We started with a team, then ran a club, and then the wider league needed volunteers. Over the years more volunteers have left, which has led to me taking on more roles so the kids can play.
"We just became more and more involved in football, and now help with the adult’s team as well.”
But helping to create more footballing opportunities for Merseyside’s youth to play football is not the only thing Savage set out to do, with referees reporting more incidents of abuse from players than ever before.
And with the situation reaching crisis point, Savage stepped in and made a statement.
As a volunteer herself, Savage said: “Up and down the country, issues are creeping in more and more. I’m a qualified referee myself, as is my son, and I got the whole team to go on a referee training course.
"Some of our referees were getting upset and something had to be done, so we called an emergency meeting with all our clubs and suspended all fixtures for the weekend.
"It just blew up from there, it got everybody talking about it and the other leagues began to take notice.”
In light of all the fantastic work she has done for the local young sporting community, the FA nominated Savage as the winner of the monthly Mutual Respect Award for her efforts.
The Mutual Respect Award is a partnership between the FA Respect Programme and Nationwide Building Society, aiming to thank those who have gone above and beyond to build mutual respect within grassroots football. The winner of the monthly award receives a trophy and two tickets to an upcoming England football team game.
She said upon receiving the award: “I found out I was nominated from one of the referee’s dads just before Christmas. I was taken aback as there’s so many people involved; I questioned why I should get an award because I enjoy doing it.
"For me, it’s a collective, not just me, even though I have to be the one to make tough decisions sometimes. I’m really proud to accept this award.”
She also paid tribute to the volunteers who give up their time to help keep the competition alive, saying: “Just because I volunteer to run a league doesn’t make me better than the coaches and the volunteers who give up their own time for children to play football.”
The Halewood-based mum believes football is an almost essential medium in the development of a young child’s confidence and understanding of respect.
“It’s more than football, it teaches life lessons. Winning is great, but it’s important to lose with dignity," she explained.
"Grassroots football allows the whole community to make friends on and off the pitch and helps us adults to be positive role models. You learn to work as a team, follow instructions, behave responsibly and conduct yourself in the right manner.”
An ambassador for youth grassroots football for many a local, Savage has no intention of stopping now. Indeed, she now hopes to encourage more women to enter the male-dominated sport and is working with St. Helen’s Town to tackle mental health issues within football through social engagement.
