Grassroots Coach Sara Fahad Wins FA Award In Waltham Forest 2026

Key Points

• Sara Fahad, 27, was named National and Regional Female Grassroots Football Coach of the Year at the FA Grassroots Football Awards held at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.
• The mother of three currently coaches youth players under the age of 16 across multiple setups, including Ryan FC, Aldersbrook Rangers, and Leyton Orient’s emerging talent centre.
• Fahad has been coaching for 11 years, having started at the age of 16, and holds an undergraduate degree in sports science and a master’s degree in human and applied physiology.
• Despite facing online discrimination following the official award announcement, Fahad continues to act as a vital role model for young girls, Muslim children, and male youth players.
• She is currently completing her UEFA B coaching qualification, has been accepted onto the Mentee Development Programme, and aims to coach in the Premier League in the future.

Waltham Forest (East London Times) September 26, 2026 – A football coach operating across the London Borough of Waltham Forest has been awarded top honours at a national Football Association (FA) grassroots awards ceremony.

Sara Fahad, 27, was named the National and Regional Female Grassroots Football Coach of the Year at the Grassroots Football Awards, hosted at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff. As reported by Northeast Londoner, Fahad, who is a mother of three, currently delivers coaching to children under the age of 16 at Ryan FC, Aldersbrook Rangers, and Leyton Orient’s emerging talent centre. Reflecting on the national recognition, Fahad stated:

“I think as coaches it can be a very thankless job, so to be recognised was honestly a massive honour.”

How Is Sara Fahad Inspiring The Next Generation Of Footballers?

In coverage published by Northeast Londoner, Fahad highlighted the importance of her position as a prominent figure for young girls and Muslim children who look up to her in the sport. Furthermore, she expressed pride in the knowledge that the young boys under her instruction will grow up viewing female leadership in sport as normal practice.

According to Northeast Londoner, Fahad stated:

“I am representation for the young girls that didn’t see any female coaches growing up.”

She added:

“It’s also not going to be strange for the boys to see women in the game. It’s going to be normal because all their life that is what they’ve seen, and they respect it.”

What Challenges Has Fahad Faced As A Muslim Female Coach?

Navigating a historically male-dominated environment, Fahad explained the added pressure faced by women in sports leadership roles. As detailed by Northeast Londoner, Fahad noted:

“I think we always feel like we have to prove ourselves and work harder for the same kind of acknowledgement as men.”

Following the official announcement by England Football, the promotional post received a wave of negative online comments directed at Fahad’s background. Addressing the public reaction in statements reported by Northeast Londoner, Fahad remarked:

“There were comments on the post about how I don’t represent the country. I’m a female and a Muslim, and there’s millions of us in the country. I guess I can play a part in helping to push forward change.”

How Did Fahad Progress From Street Football To Elite Coaching Schemes?

Fahad’s journey in football began at seven years old playing street football in local sports cages, as reported by Northeast Londoner. After completing her FA Level 1 coaching qualification at age 16, she served on the FA Youth Council, which led to her initial coaching sessions in primary schools. Recalling those early days, Fahad admitted she felt “so out of my depth” when managing young pupils, but she persisted to build an 11-year coaching career alongside obtaining an undergraduate degree in sports science and a master’s degree in human and applied physiology.

Her development has been bolstered by strong family and community support. As reported by Northeast Londoner, Fahad praised the parents of her players, stating:

“When you have the support of these dads and mums who are very much involved in football, you really start to have a lot more confidence in yourself as well.”

She also credited her husband as a constant partner in her career, describing their setup as a “tag team.”

Additionally, Fahad acknowledged the impact of Gamechangers—an initiative for women in football led by Sharon Muxworthy, the FA’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion lead. Fahad stated that Muxworthy has been a “great mentor” who actively champions female coaches.

Looking ahead, Fahad is nearing completion of her UEFA B licence and intends to pursue her UEFA A qualification. Having gained a place on the Mentee Development Programme—a scheme supporting coaches from underrepresented backgrounds—she will have opportunities to observe England youth camps and visit professional clubs abroad, bringing her closer to her ultimate goal of coaching in the Premier League.

Background Of The Particular Development

The FA Grassroots Football Awards are held annually to recognise the volunteers, coaches, club officials, and referees who sustain football at local levels across England and Wales. Over recent years, The Football Association has placed an explicit focus on improving diversity, equality, and inclusion across all levels of the game, launching targeted schemes to increase representation among female coaches and individuals from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds. Initiatives such as the Mentee Development Programme and network groups like Gamechangers were created specifically to break down structural barriers and offer high-level mentorship to non-traditional coaching candidates.

Despite these governing body initiatives, visibility for Muslim women in elite and grassroots football leadership remains relatively low compared to overall participation numbers. Award ceremonies such as the one held at the Principality Stadium serve to highlight individuals who deliver exceptional work in local communities while advancing the FA’s broader strategic goals for diversity.

Prediction: How This Development Can Affect Grassroots Coaches And Underrepresented Communities

This recognition for Sara Fahad is likely to have a direct impact on several key groups across the grassroots sports ecosystem:

• For Aspiring Female and Muslim Coaches: Fahad’s national exposure provides a visible template of success for young women from minority backgrounds who may previously have viewed football coaching as an inaccessible career. Her progression into elite elite pathway programmes like the UEFA B and Mentee Development schemes demonstrates clear avenues for career advancement, which could lead to increased enrolment of diverse candidates in FA qualification courses.
• For Grassroots Youth Players: Young boys and girls coached within multi-cultural regions like Waltham Forest will continue to benefit from inclusive, high-quality instruction. Normalising female authority figures on the touchline for young male players fosters long-term cultural shifts regarding gender respect in sport from an early age.
• For Governing Bodies and Local Clubs: The public response to Fahad’s award highlights both the progress made and the persistent challenge of online harassment facing diverse figures in sports. This development may prompt football governing bodies and social media platforms to introduce stronger protective measures, mentorship networks, and anti-discrimination policies to support grassroots volunteers facing online backlash.