Uganda international Fauzia Najjemba has been nominated for the 2026 Lauren Holiday Impact Award, recognising her contribution to communities beyond professional football.
The Boston Legacy FC forward is among 16 nominees, with each National Women’s Soccer League club selecting 1 player whose work reflects service and positive community impact.
Najjemba has been nominated alongside Soccer Without Borders Massachusetts, continuing a relationship that has allowed her to use football to connect with young people.
“Beyond the pitch, there is a whole journey and this honour represents so much of it,” Najjemba said.
“Being nominated for the Lauren Holiday Impact Award is incredibly meaningful to me because it recognises something I deeply believe in, using the platform we have to give back, serve our communities, and create an impact that goes beyond the game.”
Her community involvement has developed alongside a football career that has taken her from Uganda to professional football abroad and eventually the NWSL.
The NWSL says Najjemba’s motivation is partly shaped by challenges she witnessed affecting girls, including limited educational opportunities, gender inequality and teenage pregnancy.
Her work with Soccer Without Borders has provided another avenue to engage young people through football while creating opportunities away from competition.
“My journey with community work, including my time with Soccer Without Borders, has reminded me that sometimes the most meaningful moments aren’t the ones on the scoreboard,” Najjemba said.
“They’re the moments spent showing up, connecting with people, creating opportunities, and hopefully making someone’s day or life a little better.”
Following Beattie and Hiatt
Introduced in 2024, the award is named after former United States international Lauren Holiday, a 2-time Olympic champion and 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup winner.
Former Scotland defender Jen Beattie became its inaugural recipient while playing for Bay FC.
Beattie was recognised for advocacy and community work supporting people affected by breast and gynaecological cancers, having herself been diagnosed with breast cancer in 2020.
Her victory directed $30,000 to Pink Ribbon Good, an organisation providing support to individuals and families affected by breast and gynaecological cancers.
Portland Thorns defender Sam Hiatt succeeded Beattie as the 2025 winner following her involvement with Candlelighters Oregon.
Hiatt’s younger brother was diagnosed with a rare lymphoma in 2020, helping shape her work supporting families affected by childhood cancer.
Her wider community involvement has also included work with foster youth, young footballers and Special Olympics programmes.
Najjemba now has an opportunity to become the award’s 3rd recipient and the first Ugandan to receive the honour.
The eventual winner will be selected by a judging panel that includes Holiday, NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman and representatives from Nationwide, the NWSL Players Association and the media.
The winner’s selected community organisation will receive $50,000, while organisations attached to the other nominees also receive financial support through the programme.
Najjemba credited those around her for helping her balance the demands of professional football with her interests away from the pitch.
“I’m incredibly grateful to everyone who has been part of this journey, my club, staff, teammates and everyone who has cheered me on along the way,” she said.
“Your support has allowed me to continue growing, both as an athlete and as a person. I’m honoured. I’m grateful. And I’m just getting started.”
The 2026 winner will be recognised during NWSL Championship weekend, when Najjemba will seek to turn her nomination into further support for the community work accompanying her developing career in the United States.