Football is for everyone, no exceptions!
Building Community through inclusive football!
A spotlight on Paul Reynolds
Paul Reynolds is a dedicated grassroots football coach and the Hertfordshire FA Disability Ambassador. During the 2024/25 season, he was named Volunteer Coach of the Year at the BSG Sporting Excellence Awards. Following this achievement, he was also awarded the Disability Coach of the Year by the Hertfordshire FA as part of their regional segment of the national 2025 England Football Grassroots Awards.
He is best known for his pivotal role in developing the inclusive football program at Berkhamsted Raiders CFC, where he has created a space for players who might otherwise feel excluded from mainstream sports.
Paul’s approach is built on the belief that sport is a universal right, not a privilege and is based on three core pillars:
- Inclusion over competition: for children and adults with Special Educational Needs (SEN), he emphasises that the “win” isn’t the score on the board, but the act of participation. He makes every effort to remove the physical, sensory, or social barriers that often prevent SEN individuals from joining local clubs.
- Building confidence and community: for Paul, coaching is about more than teaching someone how to kick a ball; it’s about providing a safe environment where players can make friends, offering an activity that aids emotional regulation, and giving individuals the confidence to carry those skills into their daily lives.
- Support for the Whole Family: Paul understands that a SEN diagnosis affects the entire family. He believes that support should extend to parents and carers, providing them with a community of peers and a “safe harbour” where their loved ones are understood and supported without judgment.
Paul has been integral to the success of the inclusive football program, providing fun, safe, and welcoming opportunities for children and adults in Berkhamsted.
Now, it’s your turn to nominate!
A nomination is more than just a certificate, it’s a powerful “thank you” to the volunteers behind the scenes. By nominating a coach or volunteer, you are validating their hours on the pitch and their commitment to making sport a universal right.
Be the one to put their name on the map and celebrate the heart of our clubs!
Nominate your Volunteer Coach of the Year today!
Awards Nomination Request Form
