EVERTON and England midfielder Jack Grealish has been awarded Kick It Out’s prestigious 2025 Herman Ouseley Award for Equality and Inclusion.

Grealish has spoken out over the years on disability inclusion in sport and has regularly used his voice to make football and sport more welcoming for disabled people, as well as promoting diversity in football and challenging bigotry within the game.

Kick It Out chief executive Samuel Okafor, who presented Grealish with the award, said: “We’re delighted to give Jack the award for the way he uses his platform to raise awareness around disability and the way he embraces fans. A huge congratulations to Jack.”

At the presentation at Everton’s training ground, Finch Farm, Grealish said: “It’s massive to win this. Everyone knows what I try and do off the pitch. It’s very close to home, my little sister being disabled and having cerebral palsy, so winning awards like this is always special.”

Former FA director of women’s football Baroness Sue Campbell won the inaugural award last year.

Past winners include former Watford forward Troy Deeney, Team GB’s first black swimmer Alice Dearing and former England manager Gareth Southgate.