WILTSHIRE football referee Ella Broad has been crowned the Grassroots Official of the Year at the virtual awards ceremony for the 2020 FA & McDonald’s Grassroots Football Awards.

She received the award on Tuesday evening at an online ceremony streamed live on the Football Association’s Twitter channel and watched by hundreds of people around the country.

The FA & McDonald’s Grassroots Football Awards celebrate the efforts of volunteers across England who go the extra mile to support their local communities.

Normally, the winners are presented with their awards at a ceremony held at Wembley Stadium, before the Community Shield final.

Ella, 18, from Westbury, has already made a big name for herself within the refereeing community. Alongside studying for her A levels, she officiates across Wiltshire in nine different leagues from adult men’s, women’s and youth leagues, often covering 4-5 games a week.

She is dedicated to helping shape the future of young referees as one of the 13 members of The FA’s prestigious National Young Referee Development Team.

Before the Covid-19 pandemic, Miss Broad attended regular meetings at St George’s Park, delivering advice, reporting back to the Wilts FA and running events for the FA.

Personally, she has excelled and had two FA Cup appointments as an assistant referee and was awarded by the FA for her incredible work with a Women’s Reserve Cup Final appointment in Nottingham.

The FA & McDonald’s Grassroots Football Awards celebrate the efforts of volunteers across England who go the extra mile to support their local communities.

There was no shortage of star power on hand at the awards ceremony to make the occasion special, with England manager Gareth Southgate, 1966 England World Cup legend Sir Geoff Hurst, Martin Keown and Casey Stoney all featuring in the virtual celebration of grassroots football’s unsung heroes.

Local McDonald’s franchisee Mike Guerin, who is an avid supporter of grassroots football in Wiltshire, said: “I’m so pleased we are still able to come together and celebrate Ella for all she has achieved within the grassroots football community in Wiltshire, especially after the tough year we have all faced.

“Without match day officials like Ella who give up their time to ensure games run smoothly, there would be no football.

“She is a credit to the Wiltshire FA and has a very bright future ahead of her. I’m so pleased she’ll be able to get back on the pitch doing what she does best in the coming weeks.”

Having worked with the FA for the past 19 years, McDonald’s is the longest-standing supporter of grassroots football in the UK.

Throughout this time, it has championed the work of volunteers who invest countless hours of time to deliver safe, enjoyable football.

Nominations are now open for the 2021 FA & McDonald’s Grassroots Football Awards.

To nominate a grassroots hero, go to www.mcdonalds.co.uk/awards.