Kate Mercer is the Club Safeguarding Lead at Duffield Dynamo FC. The dedication and hard work that she puts into the club enables the club to provide a safe, happy, and welcoming environment for all.

On Monday 29^th January 2024, during Derbyshire FA’s strategy consultation event held at Belper Town FC’s Raygar Stadium, Kate and her husband Rob, Vice Chair of Duffield Dynamo FC, were in attendance. Derbyshire FA officials Liam Rooney and Jenny Blewitt surprised Kate on the evening by presenting her with the Unsung Hero Award in front of a crowd of fellow grassroots football volunteers.

Kate was nominated for the award by a parent at the club who had this to say about her:

“Kate is one of the warmest and kindest people I know. When my daughters started playing football, they were uncertain and nervous. She comforted them and encouraged them to the point where they cannot be kept away from football. She supports all players with the same understanding and care.

Thank you, Kate, for everything you do for the club and the children. You are an exemplar of care and consideration and the glue that keeps the club together. Thank you for all of the hours you put in, whether it is making tea and hot chocolate for my girls or ensuring I am keeping on top of my training. You are great.”

Kate said:

“Thank you very much for the nomination and to win is a little overwhelming. With two girls, I never expected to be involved in football, but I feel very lucky to have had the football world brought into my life.

Like most grassroots volunteers, I was asked to help with a small role which ended up growing, a bit like the club itself. There’s nothing quite like our home ground at the weekends where it’s wonderful to see so many children enjoying football.

Thank you again and really I’d like to share it the award with the fantastic group of other volunteers on our committee.”

The Unsung Hero Award is a newly introduced campaign for 2023/24 – Derbyshire FA’s 140^th Year. The campaign is all about identifying and celebrating the individuals that make football happen in Derbyshire. The people that give hours of their free time for the benefit of others and go under the radar. A new Unsung Hero is unveiled each month by Derbyshire FA. The winner receives a customised giftbox created by gift specialists Colleague Box, aptly named ‘A Taste of Derbyshire’, which contains a variety of items included branded merchandise, food, drinks and more.

Here is the full list of winners so far this season:

• Mark Frost – Secretary of Ilkeston Town FC
• Jeff Clarke – General volunteer of Alfreton Town FC
• Ian Collins – Secretary of Gresley Rovers FC
• Kate Mercer – Club Safeguarding Lead of Duffield Dynamo FC

If you know someone that dedicates their all to grassroots football like Kate, you can nominate them for Derbyshire FA’s Unsung Hero Award here.