Waltham FC can proudly announce that Waltham Ninjas’ Joey Taylor has won the first ever Gradely Sports Respect Monthly Award.

The Gradely Sports Junior Football League have begun a new initiative for the 2016/17 season, which will see one player recognised each month for a show of exceptional respect to others. Any player from under 7’s to under 12’s can be nominated, with the Gradely League Committee choosing one worthy winner each month who will get a certificate and a free pair of football boots of their choice (courtesy of Mark Emerson’s Discount Boots & Trainers).

And the first ever award has seen a young Waltham FC star recognised for a fantastic show of respect. Six-year old Joey Taylor, who plays for Waltham Ninja’s in the Under 7’s age group, was informed after his match on Sunday that he had won this award, and we caught up with Joey this week to ask him what he did that was recognised as showing great respect.

“Somebody got hit in the face with the ball and instead of playing on, I helped him.” said Joey.

It turns out a parent from the opposition team that day had recognised that Joey showed great respect and sportsmanship by attending to an injured opposition player, rather than join an attack when his team could’ve had a one-player advantage.

We asked Joey why he stopped and went over to help the opposition player.

Joey explained: “Because it hurts when you get injured and I wanted to make sure he was OK. It doesn’t matter that he was on the other team because he’s a footballer just like me.”

When I asked Joey how he felt when he was told he’d won this award, his words were: “Happy…..because it made my Daddy happy and proud.”

Joey can now look forward to a brand new pair of football boots of his choice as part of his prize. And he told us “I’m going to ask Mr Emerson for some cool red, yellow and black boots.”

Lastly, we asked Joey if he could give any advice to other children playing football, what would he say. His response, brilliantly, was this:

“You should only play if it’s fun. Don’t play if you’re not having fun.”

“Don’t be mean to people. Look after all the players, even on the other team ‘cos if somebody is hurt it’s not very nice and they might be sad. They’re all football players like me and if nobody helps you, you might feel sad or silly.”

“And it’s not fair if a kid is hurt and you carry on playing ‘cos there’s not the same (number of) players. And if you win when it’s not fair it’s like cheating. And cheating is really naughty.”

I don’t think anyone can argue with that.

Everyone at Waltham FC is massively proud of you Joey. For a 6-year-old boy playing his first season of football, this is an excellent thing to be recognised for. And we’re all pleased for you and your family.

Well done!

Source: Waltham FC Website [http://www.walthamfc.co.uk/taylor-wins-first-ever-gradely-sports-respect-award/]