The award, which was introduced for the first time in 2016, was created to recognise and celebrate the life of Joel Richards who was tragically killed in the fatal mass-shooting attacks in Tunisia on 26th June 2015. Joel was an extremely talented youth leader, always looking to support the development of others, creating opportunities for young people to get involved in the game.
In memory of Joel Richards, this award celebrates an exceptional youth leader who has made a positive impact within their community and continues to inspire positive change for themselves, others, and the game. The award will be presented at the FALA Graduation Ceremony (Tuesday 29th July 2025) to an individual who embodies Joel’s passion, enthusiasm, and unforgettable smile.
FALA25 marks the 10th anniversary of the Joel Richards Inspire Award – a decade of honouring outstanding youth leaders who embody Joel’s legacy. Over the past ten years, this award has continued to shine a light on youth leaders making a meaningful difference in their communities, just as Joel did
The criteria for nomination are:
- Must be aged 16 - 24 years
- Volunteering within football
- Utilised their Youth Leader Position to make a significant, positive impact on either themselves, others and/or the game
- Consistently demonstrates a positive attitude and enthusiasm within their youth leadership role
- Has shown passion to inspire positive change within their footballing community
If you would like to nominate an individual for the Joel Richards Inspire Award, please complete the nomination form which can be found here by Thursday 29th May 2025, 17:00.
Please note that the Joel Richards Inspire Award Winner will be notified by Friday 13th June, and invited to receive their award on the 29th of July as part of the FALA Graduation ceremony.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact nationalyouthcouncil@thefa.com, marking your email FAO Alice McDonagh.