International Men's Day

Nominations for International Men's Day Awards now open! - Click Here

PORTSMOUTH'S INTERNATIONAL MEN'S DAY 2025

International Men’s Day celebrates worldwide the positive value men bring to the world, their families and communities. We highlight positive role models and raise awareness of men’s well-being.

Portsmouth's only official International Men's Day event returns for its third consecutive year and is being organised by IMD Partners, Dadzclub who want to do all that we can to promote positive male voices from our community that inspire and help others. That is why on International Men's Day we are hosting an inclusive event that brings people and organisations together to listen, share and inspire.

When

This year's event will be kicking off with a few pop up events including workshops and talks from previous award recipients and supporters! The main event will be taking place on the evening of Friday 21st November.

The Venue

This year's event will be held at The Mary Rose Museum. Guests will be greeted with a drinks reception on arrival and further refreshments will be available.

Location

The Mary Rose Musuem, Portsmouth Historic Dockyard

Enjoy delicious food throughout the evening, whilst enjoying great music and connecting with local organisations and listening to a diverse range of

Inspirational Speakers

The highlight of the evening will be the Appreciation Awards Ceremony that will shine a light on some truly inspirational men, boys and masculine identifying people.

We will be presenting awards during the evening in the following categories:

Dadzclub Parenting Award

Mental Health & Wellbeing

Community and Inclusion

Unsung Hero

Inspiring Young Male

Overcoming Adversity

This year we have the privilege of introducing a brand new catagory:

The Veteran's Award

Dress to impress! (Wear what makes you feel fabulous!)

KEEP SCROLLING FOR INFORMATION ON NOMINATIONS!

International Mens' Day Global Theme 2025

Celebrating Men and Boys

This year’s Global theme - “Supporting Men and Boys” - invites an honest look at where boys fall behind at school, where young men disengage, and where too many men face isolation and mental ill-health.

It also shines a light on the mentors, dads, teachers, coaches, employers and community programmes creating safe, positive spaces for boys to thrive and for men to ask for help without judgement.

The day is a chance to recognise practical, local action—celebrating role models, strengthening father-inclusive practice, and backing initiatives that build connection, skills and confidence. It encourages communities to elevate what’s already working and to champion a culture that supports men and boys with empathy, accountability and respect.

International Men's Day Appreciation Awards

We are excited to announce that the nominations for International Men’s Day Appreciation Award Ceremony are now open and we can't wait to receive your nominations for those inspirational men in our community!

The Appreciation Awards Ceremony will take place at The Mary Rose Museum in Portsmouth on the evening of Friday 21st November and promises to be a prestigious night full of inspiring stories!

Successful nominations will be notified on or before Saturday 8th November, each award recipient will receive a ticket for themselves and a guest to attend the event where they will receive acknowledgment and be presented with an official International Men's Day Certificate and one of our International Men's Day Awards!

The panel will be using what you have written about your nominee to make their decisions so think carefully about what you write. The six awards have been set deliberately broad to encourage greater participation. The important thing is that the recipient identifies as male and that their action’s are deserving of appreciation.

We wish that we could give every deserving nomination an award, we honestly would if we could!

As a small way to involve and celebrate as many men and boys as possible we will provide a link to a downloadable certificate to print and give to those deserving men and boys in our community.

To nominate someone, we recommend that you get their permission or from their parent or carer if they are under 18 years of age. You may also be contacted about your nomination.

You may only nominate the same person once and duplicate forms will be discounted.

The awards are decided by a panel and will be based on what is written about any one nominee not necessarily on the number of times the same person is nominated.

The closing date for nominations will be at midnight on 1st November 2024.

By completing this nomination form you are accepting the T&C's which can be found at the bottom of this page.

Award Pillars

Dadzclub Parenting Award
Mental Health and Wellbeing
Community and Inclusion
Unsung Hero
Inspiring Young Male
Overcoming Adversity
Veteran's Award

Submit a Nomination

Introducing our special guest speaker Ashley Cain

Ashley Cain: Inspiring Guest Speaker for International Men’s Day in Portsmouth

We are thrilled to announce that Ashley Cain – former professional footballer and reality TV personality turned heroic father – will be the guest speaker at this year’s International Men’s Day event in Portsmouth.

Ashley Cain has become a beacon of resilience and positive fatherhood, turning personal tragedy into purpose through advocacy and charity work.

His presence at our event promises to inspire attendees with a powerful story of hope, strength, and community impact.

Celebrating Men and Boys – International Men’s Day Event

The theme of this year’s event is “Celebrating Men and Boys,” aligning with International Men’s Day’s mission to celebrate the positive value men bring to the world, their families, and communities.

International Men’s Day (celebrated worldwide on November 19) is about recognizing the men who lead by example and make a difference. We strive to showcase stories that uplift and encourage, and Ashley Cain’s journey perfectly embodies these ideals.

Attendees will enjoy an evening of networking, inspiring talks, and community awards as we honor local heroes and hear Ashley’s moving testament to courage and compassion.

About Ashley Cain

Ashley Cain first rose to fame as a talented athlete and entertainer, but it is his character and courage off the field that truly define him today. Here’s what you should know about our guest speaker:

Former Professional Footballer: Ashley played as a winger for Coventry City in the English Football League, among other clubs. His early career in professional sport taught him discipline and teamwork.
Reality TV Personality: He later became a familiar face on MTV’s Ex on the Beach and competed on The Challenge, gaining a large following with his vibrant personality.
Devoted Father and Charity Founder: After the heartbreaking loss of his baby daughter, Azaylia, to leukemia in 2021, Ashley and his partner Safiyya founded The Azaylia Foundation in their daughter’s honor. The charity supports children fighting cancer and their families, turning Ashley’s grief into positive action for others.
Endurance Challenge Champion: Ashley has pushed himself through grueling physical challenges to raise awareness and funds for childhood cancer. He ran 34 marathons in 34 days and is attempting a world-first “Ultraman” feat – crossing Britain three times by running, cycling, and kayaking – all to honor Azaylia’s legacy. This unwavering dedication has inspired thousands and raised significant funds for charity.

Ashley’s Journey

From Tragedy to Purpose: In October 2020, Ashley’s daughter Azaylia Diamond was diagnosed with an aggressive form of leukemia at just eight weeks old. Despite a courageous fight, Azaylia passed away at only eight months old in April 202. During her illness, Ashley and Safiyya rallied support worldwide – raising over £1.5 million to seek specialist treatment for Azaylia and sharing their story to spread awareness.

While nothing could save their beloved child, the outpouring of support ignited a mission in Ashley to help other families facing childhood cancer. In Azaylia’s memory, he established The Azaylia Foundation to fund research, support families, and improve childhood cancer care.

Through this charity, Ashley advocates for change, noting that childhood cancer remains the number one killer of children in the UK yet receives less than 3% of cancer funding. His work is not only about funding and awareness, but also about offering hope and solidarity to parents going through the unimaginable.

A Beacon of Resilience and Positive Masculinity:

Ashley Cain’s response to personal tragedy has been to channel pain into purpose. He has become a highly visible champion for resilience, mental well-being, and community support.

Whether running ultramarathons, kayaking 1,000-mile rivers, or sharing candid reflections on grief and growth, Ashley demonstrates the strength of vulnerability and the power of determination. He openly discusses the emotional challenges he has faced, showing that seeking support and expressing emotion are signs of courage, not weakness – an important message for men’s mental health.

As a public speaker, Ashley brings authenticity and passion to every stage. His story has resonated with audiences in schools, businesses, and charities, because it speaks to universal themes of love, loss, and the will to make a difference.

When Ashley Cain takes the podium at our International Men’s Day event, expect to be moved and motivated. He will share how becoming a father and then losing his child transformed his life’s purpose – inspiring him to help others and celebrate every day and every person we have.

His journey from professional sports and reality TV fame to philanthropy and advocacy illustrates the positive value men can bring to their families and communities, even in the face of adversity.

Join Us for an Inspiring Evening

Ashley Cain’s story exemplifies the very spirit of International Men’s Day: courage, accountability, and compassion. He stands as a powerful voice for hope and meaningful change.

We invite everyone to join us in celebrating men and boys at this special event. Come listen to Ashley’s incredible journey of turning pain into purpose, and be part of a conversation that highlights positive male role models and encourages all of us to support men’s well-being.

Ashley Cain’s keynote speech will be the highlight of the evening, sure to leave a lasting impact.

Don’t miss this opportunity to be inspired and to show support for the men and boys in our lives. Together, let’s listen, share, and inspire – and make this International Men’s Day a memorable celebration of positive male voices in our community.

About our venue - The Mary Rose Museum

History brought to life

A dramatic backdrop for connection

Set within Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, the Mary Rose Museum is home to Henry VIII’s iconic warship and thousands of Tudor artefacts that tell the stories of real people and everyday life at sea. The galleries surround the preserved hull in a beautifully curated, immersive space - history you can feel, not just read about. It’s a one-of-

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A dramatic backdrop for connection

The museum’s striking architecture and atmospheric lighting create a sense of occasion the moment you arrive. With views across the ship and gallery walkways, guests naturally mingle, explore and discover talking points at every turn - from tools and clothing to games and personal items recovered from the seabed. It’s intimate yet impress

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Why we chose the Mary Rose

A dramatic backdrop for connection

Why we chose the Mary Rose

International Men’s Day is about celebrating positive role models and the communities that shape them. The Mary Rose embodies craftsmanship, teamwork, courage and resilience - human stories that resonate today. Hosting our event here lets us honour the past while championing modern, healthy masculinity: inclusive, thoughtful and community-minded. It’s a world-class museum right on our doorstep, and an unforgettable stage for an evening that uplifts men and boys - alongside the families, friends and allies who support them.

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Terms and Conditions

Additional Information

Please read these terms and conditions carefully, as if you enter you are bound by these rules.

The Dadzclub International Men's Day Awards is open to residents within the United Kingdom only and excludes members of the Parenting Network or Dadzclub staff members.
To be eligible to receive an award, the nominated person must identify as male and must live or work within Hampshire UK.
The competition submissions start in September 2024 and close at midnight on 1st November 2023 (the “Closing Date”). No entries can be made before the Start Date or after the Closing Date. Entries received after the Closing Date will not be counted.
To enter, participants should complete the online nomination form.
The finalists will be selected by a panel after assessing entries based on how well they demonstrate one or more of the pillars. The finalists will be notified using the email address entered on the nomination form.
If we do not hear back from a the award recipient within 48hrs after we have notified them, we reserve the right to disqualify this winner and choose another one.
If you are selected to receive an award, you agree to your name being published on this website and on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
Awards will be presented at an awards ceremony on 21st November. No cash alternative is available.
We regret that we can not post or deliver the award to recipients if they are unable to attend the event. Award recipients will need to make arrangements to collect the award from The Parenting Network office in Portsmouth.
Individuals can only nominate the same person once. Entries generated by script, macro, robotic, programming, or any other automated means outside of the Website are prohibited and will be disqualified. No purchase necessary. Only valid and correctly completed entries will be accepted.
Individuals cannot use secondary email addresses to increase the number of times a person is nominated.
If a dispute arises regarding who submitted an entry, the entry will be deemed to be submitted by the authorised account holder of the account and name provided at time of entry. Authorised account holder is defined as: the natural person who is assigned to an e-mail address by an Internet access provider, Facebook or Twitter, online service provider, or other organisation responsible for assigning e-mail addresses for the domain associated with the submitted e-mail address.
We reserve the right to cancel, amend, withdraw, terminate or temporarily suspend this competition in the event of any unforeseen circumstances or technical reason outside its reasonable control, with no liability to any entrants or third parties.
We reserve the right to disqualify any entries and withhold any award which may have been won if we believe that an entrant has not complied with the Website Terms. And reserve the right to take appropriate legal action if necessary. The competition judge’s decision is final and no discourse will be entered into.
Any awards damaged after presentation will not be replaced or refunded.
To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Promoter shall not be liable for any damage, loss or injury or death arising from the award of a prize. For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in our terms and conditions of participation in the competition shall limit our liability for any liability the limitation of which is not permitted by law.
By participating in the awards event, entrants are deemed to have read and understood and, agree to be bound by, these terms and conditions and privacy policies.

PORTSMOUTH'S INTERNATIONAL MEN'S DAY 2025