Oxford United midfielder Will Vaulks has been named the winner of the FIFPRO Player Voice Award, a global honour celebrating professional footballers who use their platform to inspire meaningful social change.
Will was recognised for his outstanding commitment to suicide prevention and mental health awareness, with work that has resonated across the football community, throughout Oxfordshire and beyond.
Having tragically lost both of his grandfathers to suicide as a teenager, Will has channelled his personal experience into a mission to challenge stigma, encourage open conversations, and ensure that support is accessible to all who need it.
Will has led Oxford United’s award-winning Can We Talk? campaign, working alongside suicide prevention charity Baton of Hope, an organisation he is also an ambassador for. The initiative has delivered measurable impact, including:
- Suicide prevention and mental health workshops for supporters
- Accredited in-person training for staff and players
- Collaboration with the EFL and PFA on a national suicide-prevention framework
- Upcoming engagement with schools across Oxfordshire, with a pledge to visit 10 across 2026
- Wellbeing ‘check-in’ app for Club staff set to be introduced
Earlier this year, Will played a key role in Oxford United becoming the first sporting organisation to sign the Baton of Hope Workplace Pledge, strengthening the Club’s commitment to mental health and suicide awareness.
Speaking following the announcement, Will said: “I’m incredibly proud to have won the FIFPRO Player Voice Award for our work in suicide prevention.
“We don’t do this work for awards. This is about recognition for what we have done as a Club with our Can We Talk? campaign, in partnership with Baton of Hope.
“We want to create real and meaningful change and keep pushing conversations forward. We are committed to making a difference in our communities and beyond, and we have put tangible actions in place to do so.
“Every death by suicide is preventable, and we are dedicated to doing everything we can to educate and raise awareness of what is the biggest killer of men under 50 and women under 35 in the UK.
“I need to take this moment to thank everyone at Oxford United and Baton of Hope for their support, their belief in this work, and their commitment to helping us make genuine progress.
“I also want to thank the EFL, PFA, and everyone who has helped me at my previous clubs, particularly Sheffield Wednesday.”
Tim Williams, Oxford United CEO, said: "Everyone at the Club is incredibly proud of Will. His passion, authenticity, and bravery in tackling such an important issue have created genuine change within our Club and our community.
“Will is changing how we as a Football Club tackle suicide and mental health conversations. He is going beyond our Club and into communities to create a meaningful difference, ensuring young and old have a better understanding ofn this important subject.
“This award reflects not only his commitment but the impact he’s already made and the momentum he continues to build.”
Oxford United congratulates Will on this incredible and fully deserved achievement, and looks forward to supporting the next steps in his work to improve mental health awareness and suicide prevention.
