Teenager Joshua Warwick has been honoured at the 2022 England Football & McDonald’s Grassroots Football Awards national ceremony, being named the national winner of the prestigious Grassroots Rising Star of the Year award. The awards are now in their thirteenth year.
Joshua, 18, was coaching his local team when he became aware of a medical emergency on a different pitch. Joshua, who had no prior medical training, immediately assisted with CPR and used the available defibrillator. Thanks to Joshua’s efforts the player who had collapsed survived and inspired Joshua to champion understanding around Sudden Cardiac Arrests. He is currently working with the Nottinghamshire FA to develop training materials and to share his experience with fellow coaches.
Joshua approached local team Rossoneri FC and formed an U18 team encouraging disadvantaged young people to join for free without charging fees. Joshua accepted his award from football legend Martin Keown ahead of The FA Community Shield, which saw Premier League champions Manchester City play FA Cup winners Liverpool. During the half time break, Joshua joined the other winners on the pitch in front of the King Power Stadium crowd.
