ellen maggs

Ellen Maggs wins Lioness Award at England Football Grassroots Heroes Awards 2024

London FA are proud to announce that the winner of the The Lioness Award for the 2024 Grassroots Heroes Awards is Ellen Maggs!

Ellen Maggs is Director of London Football School and Secretary for Camden & Islington Youth and Regents Park League. She has always been the driving force for girls' grassroots football in Islington and surrounding boroughs, volunteering tirelessly to provide competitive league opportunities.

At Camden & Islington Youth League, Ellen has changed the league from having no girls football to a league that covers 72 teams in 7 age groups from U10-U18. At Regents Park League, she has expanded the small U10, U12 and U14 girls league to include A and B divisions as well as the introduction of U11, U13 and U15 friendly leagues which will become full divisions in the 2024/25 season, expanding the girls league to over 150 teams. Ellen was also instrumental in setting up Islington and Camden District Girls Football, fundraising, organising fixtures and securing council support. This year will see the expansion of district football to include Years 6, 7 and 8 as well as the first girls county team, giving girls in the area the same opportunities as boys. She has also recently joined the London FA Women & Girls Advisory Board.

Elle has given girls in Islington and surrounding boroughs confidence, opportunities, and a love of football. She inspires them with her own playing record, as someone who has played for Arsenal and England, is always visible at league matches, and available to offer advice, encouragement, and support. She is adored by parents, players, officials, and colleague who all she the quiet devotion she gives to the game. Ellen wants the girls to have the same opportunities as the boys and is making it happen.

Ellen is the face of girls’ football in the area, understanding what it is to play the game and a passion that girls should have a pathway to develop their potential or just play for fun. She understands the barriers that stand in the way of progress and the need to build a clear pathway for the girls that fills the gap between grassroots and academy football, working collaboratively to challenge and change every stage of this. Through her three volunteering roles, Ellen has worked tirelessly in her drive to give girls equal opportunity from grassroots upwards. 

Congratulations to Ellen!