A speech by The Duke of Cambridge at The FA's Grassroots Heroes event
Published
I cannot tell you how excited I am that later today we will be playing football on my grandmother’s lawn.
Thank you, Greg.
It is with the greatest pleasure that I welcome you all here today. This magnificent home, Buckingham Palace, is at the heart of the nation, and so there cannot be a more fitting setting to celebrate our national game, and to celebrate all of you.
I cannot tell you how excited I am that later today we will be playing football on my grandmother’s lawn. One warning, though: if anyone breaks a window, you can answer to her.
In fact, Her Majesty, who has been the proud Patron of The FA for 61 years, sends her regrets that she cannot join you today. The one small silver lining to Her Majesty not being present today is that there shouldn’t be any corgis running on to the pitch. The beautiful game has changed an awful lot during The Queen’s reign, but it remains the most loved game in the country, most probably the world.
Whilst it is a privilege to be President of The Football Association, if I am honest, for me, the role is more an extension of a personal passion. Football, in particular being a Villa supporter, has brought me a great deal of pleasure over the years. A chance to escape with friends and family and enjoy its virtues teamwork, competition, endeavour and, more occasionally on my part, skill.
At its best, football is a powerful force for good in society. It binds people from different backgrounds, communities, faiths and abilities and gives them a common interest, a unifying identity. I believe over its 150 years, football has remained a wonderful example of the power of community and of our ability to come together to organise and to enjoy a simple pastime.
As a nation, we were rightly proud of the volunteer ‘gamesmakers’ who supported last year’s Olympic Games. But for those of us involved in football, this was not a new phenomenon. Grassroots football thrives on the support of its volunteers week after week. You and your colleagues are the original games-makers, and we are all in your debt for it.
Reading through your citations, I don’t think any of you realise quite how impressive what you do is. You change lives, you give people meaning, enjoyment, perspective, a release, an outlet; you bring people together and inject fun, laughter, passion, goals and challenges into others’ lives. It is people like you who make our country what it is. I sincerely hope that you are immensely proud of your efforts and achievements.
Please enjoy today this event is for you: a thank you from the nation to what you and countless others like you have given freely.
Thank you, and we would now like to call you forward to receive your medals.
Related content
![The Prince and Princess of Wales with Prince George and Princess Charlotte attend Wimbledon](/sites/default/files/styles/grid_3x2/public/images/2023-07/TL304096-325269_resize.jpg?h=d248846e&itok=rO3xXuuy)
![The Prince of Wales pictured with the Lionesses squad and staff](/sites/default/files/styles/grid_3x2/public/images/2023-06/52989047401_19d56d1abb_o.jpg?itok=1Gl_e-ra)
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attended the Commonwealth Games
![](/sites/default/files/styles/460x460/public/images/feature/pa-68150983.jpg?itok=99drRPCh)
![](/sites/default/files/styles/grid_3x2/public/images/news/xt184468-2.jpg?itok=jV1a2Vzw)
Heads Up
![](/sites/default/files/styles/460x460/public/images/feature-chapters/header_image.png?itok=rcn2isg4)
The Duke of Cambridge and the FA launch 'Heads Up' mental health campaign
![](/sites/default/files/styles/grid_3x2/public/images/news/pa-39928081.jpg?itok=Fk9isPKu)
A speech by The Duke of Cambridge at the King Power Stadium, Leicester
We knew Vichai as a man who cared deeply about his family and also his community..
A speech by The Duke of Cambridge at a Football for Peace Graduation ceremony
I have seen on many occasions the power of football to unite communities...
![](/sites/default/files/styles/grid_3x2/public/images/news/pw_football_0.jpg?itok=m8s2qlj6)
![](/sites/default/files/styles/grid_3x2/public/images/news/pa-30589397.jpg?itok=7TF6vCbw)
![](/sites/default/files/styles/460x460/public/images/feature-chapters/remembrance-ns.jpg?itok=2OJjqczs)
![](/sites/default/files/styles/grid_3x2/public/images/news/q_0.jpg?itok=Y_k6EZDN)
The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh will give a reception for Team GB and ParalympicsGB medallists
A speech by The Duke of Cambridge at the FA President's Lunch
We owe it to the history of the game to maintain the FA's global standing. To do so, we must seek to set a world standard in the way we conduct our business
![](/sites/default/files/styles/grid_3x2/public/images/news/duke-10-years-fa.jpg?itok=xkGSmkZ-)
The Duke of Cambridge and sport
![](/sites/default/files/styles/460x460/public/images/feature/pa-17845052_9.jpg?itok=ZpDteIdT)
The Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales
![](/sites/default/files/styles/460x460/public/images/feature/header_image_option_1.jpg?itok=Joa86bsf)
![](/sites/default/files/styles/grid_3x2/public/images/news/pa-24607393_10.jpg?itok=iEqqpikU)
The Duke of Cambridge, President of the FA, praises England Women on their achievements
A statement from The Duke of Cambridge on the Women's World Cup Quarter-final
A speech by The Duke of Cambridge to the Football Association ahead of the 2015 FA Cup Final
I feel we need to ensure that we become the gold standard of sporting governance.
A speech by The Duke of Cambridge at the unveiling of the Football Remembers memorial
Football, then as now, had the power to bring people together and break down barriers.
A speech by The Duke of Cambridge at the Football Association's 150th anniversary dinner
With the stroke of a pen and 13 rules, Saturday afternoons were never the same again.
A speech by The Duke of Cambridge to the UEFA Congress
What unites us all as 53 different nations is our love of a game that crosses boundaries.
A speech by The Duke of Cambridge at the Donald Dewar Leisure Centre, Glasgow
Glasgow is a city with a great buzz and enormous optimism.
A message from The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to the Race to Recovery team on completion of the Dakar Rally
A speech by The Duke of Cambridge at the opening of St. George's Park
It will be far more than just a world class facility for training our future world-beating national team.
The Duke of Cambridge becomes Patron of the Welsh Rugby Charitable Trust
A speech by The Duke of Cambridge at Vernon Park, Nottingham
We will witness an exceptional moment in our Island History.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry become official Team GB and Paralympics GB 2012 Ambassadors
Prince William to back England 2018 bid in Zurich, Switzerland
The Duke of Cambridge urges protection of UK’s Outdoor Spaces
A speech by The Duke of Cambridge at the Foundation Polo Cup, Santa Barbara Polo and Racquet Club
My father, The Prince of Wales, and my brother, Harry, were as green as that grass outside when I told them I'd be here today.
The Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry to play in the Sentebale Polo Cup
A speech by Prince William on the 2018 England World Cup Bid
Truly a FIFA World Cup for the world.
A letter by Prince William to football programmes across the country, on the England 2018 FIFA bid
An article by Prince William in The Sun on Fields in Trust
This is where the stars of the future will first discover their talents.
Prince William launches “Fields in Trust” Diamond Jubilee Tribute to The Queen
A speech by Prince William at The FA Cup Respect and Fair Play awards, Wembley Stadium, London
Sport, to a great degree, also reflects society – good and bad.