Norfolk's Harvey Newstead is the winner of this year's Young Volunteer of the Year regional award as part of the FA Community Awards.
Harvey faced tough competition from the other county award winners within the eastern region to claim the award, presented by McDonalds, after recently being announced as the winner of the Norfolk award. He will now be put forward to the national panel with the potential to become the national award winner.
'I can't really put into words how proud I am about winning this award,' he said. 'When I found out the news that I had won the county award I was delighted and had to read it twice.
'I was ecstatic to be told the news that I had been selected as the regional award winner and it still hasn't sunk in.
'I am honoured to have won the awards, and feel very proud that my hard work and passion has been rewarded.'
Harvey's volunteering work with Horsford Youth and the Norfolk Combined Youth Football League, along with various other roles in both refereeing and coaching, has seen the 15-year old impress judges on the regional panel.
It all began over three years ago for Harvey after attending one of Norfolk FA's Junior Football Leaders courses.
Harvey's progression as a referee over the last few years has seen him secure multiple cup final appointments with the Norfolk Combined Youth League and Premier League Futsal fixtures across the country, as well as holding roles behind the scenes on the Horsford Community Sports committee and as Football Futures Referee Support with Norfolk FA's Youth Council, which has seen him reach over 1,500 hours of volunteering.
'I have loved every second of my voluntary work over the last few seasons in football all the work has been so rewarding,' he said.
'I would recommend volunteering to any young leaders or people in the county as I have gained some invaluable experience and have met some very inspirational people along the way that I aspire to and have been able to attend some unforgettable events.'
Norfolk FA chairman Michael Banham said: 'It's fantastic to see that Harvey's efforts have been recognised at the regional level after his continued involvement in Norfolk Football through coaching, volunteering and refereeing. I regularly see first-hand how much commitment Harvey shows to football in Norfolk with him volunteering at Norfolk FA events as well as being part of the NCFA Youth Council and Football Futures programme.
'I would like to thank Harvey for his dedication to the grassroots game and wish him all the best in the National judging panel.'
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