National footballer Eartha Pond has been nominated for the Grassroots Sportswoman of the Year Award in the United Kingdom, part of The Sunday Times Sportswomen of the Year 2025 Awards. Pond, who represented the Piton Girlz in 2023, is an athlete, community activist and social entrepreneur.
The British-born baller previously played club football as a defender for Arsenal, Chelsea, Everton, Charlton Athletic, Leeds and Tottenham Hotspur.
According to an official letter posted by Pond on her social media pages, this award from The Sunday Times, a major British national Sunday newspaper, “celebrates the women breaking down barriers and bringing together their communities to find the joy in playing sport and getting active”.
The letter further notes that “the Grassroots Sportswoman of the Year category specifically celebrates the women breaking down barriers and bringing together their communities to find the joy in playing sport and getting active.”
This particular nomination largely focuses on Pond’s work with the “Girls Allowed” programme, engaging over 8,000 girls across the UK, providing access to a diverse range of sports as well as her work in launching the Mums Allowed programme helping to empower women to rediscover movement and wellbeing.
Among her other initiatives is the sponsorship of kits for Saint Lucia’s national women’s team.
Pond expressed her gratitude for this honour via Instagram, saying:
“So much I could say… But I think thank you sums it all up! This has not just happened overnight, if you know me you will know I have never left grassroots.
“Be it Education, Sports or Policy… I’ve been dedicated in finding order in chaos. Thank you [Sunday Times] for the recognition and thank you to all the staff, participants, volunteers and supporters that make this even possible.”
Residents of the United Kingdom can vote for their winners until December 20, 2025. The winners will be revealed at an awards ceremony on February 4, 2026.
Congratulations to you! May you continue to make us proud.