On Friday, November 21, 2025, Dadzclub will host its annual International Men's Day Appreciation Award Ceremony at The Mary Rose Museum in Portsmouth, England — two days after the global observance of International Men's Day. The event, set to begin in the evening, will recognize local men and boys whose quiet acts of courage, compassion, and resilience have shaped their communities. Unlike the official global event on November 19, this ceremony is a deeply local tribute — one that blends history, healing, and hope in the shadow of a 16th-century warship that survived battle, fire, and centuries of neglect.
A Night Rooted in History, Focused on the Present
Choosing The Mary Rose Museum wasn’t accidental. The ship, raised from the Solent in 1982 after sinking in 1545, stands as a monument to craftsmanship, teamwork, and endurance. Its crew — over 400 men — came from every walk of life: nobles, sailors, cooks, gunners. Many died in silence. Their stories were buried with them — until now. Dadzclub sees parallels. "The Mary Rose embodies craftsmanship, teamwork, courage and resilience," the organization states. "Hosting our event here lets us honour the past while championing modern, healthy masculinity: inclusive, thoughtful and community." It’s a subtle but powerful message: masculinity isn’t about dominance. It’s about showing up, even when no one’s watching.
Six Awards, One Goal: Seeing the Unseen
This year, Dadzclub will present six awards: Dadzclub Parenting Award, Mental Health & Wellbeing, Community and Inclusion, Unsung Hero, Inspiring Young Male, and Overcoming Adversity. A seventh, unnamed category has been added — a surprise even to some staff. "We wanted to leave space for something unexpected," said a source close to the selection panel. "Sometimes the most powerful stories don’t fit neatly into boxes." Nominees must be male, and their actions must be deserving — no formal titles required. A father who wakes at 4 a.m. to drive his daughter to therapy. A teacher who stays late to help boys struggling with anger. A retired dockworker who mentors teens at the local youth center. These aren’t headlines. They’re lifelines.
Shortlisted nominees will be notified by Saturday, November 8, 2025, and invited to attend with a guest. Each will receive an official International Men's Day Certificate. Winners will also receive a physical award. For those not selected? Dadzclub offers a downloadable certificate — a quiet but deliberate act of inclusion. "We wish we could give every deserving nomination an award," the site reads. "We honestly would if we could."
Why This Matters: The Numbers Behind the Ceremony
Behind every name on the nomination list is a statistic too often ignored. In the UK and Ireland, men are three times more likely to die by suicide than women, according to data from Lena (lenabyinspire.com). One in four men won’t speak to anyone about their mental health. Men account for 78% of all work-related fatalities in the UK. And yet, societal expectations often tell them to "tough it out." "IMD is a chance to break the silence," Lena writes. "To build a culture of openness, empathy, and support." That’s exactly what Dadzclub is trying to do — not with grand speeches, but with quiet recognition. The event will feature "Ashley’s moving testament to courage," a personal story from someone who survived domestic violence, addiction, and isolation — and rebuilt his life through community.
Global Movement, Local Impact
While Dadzclub celebrates in Portsmouth, the official International Men's Day organization, headquartered in Sydney, Australia, will host a global livestream from 3:00 PM to midnight AEDT on November 19, 2025. The theme? "Celebrating Men and Boys." Leaders from Africa, Asia, the Americas, and Europe will share stories of fathers who taught sons to cry, of uncles who became parents, of brothers who chose kindness over pride.
Similar events have unfolded before: In South Africa, 5,000 men gathered for an awards ceremony honoring peacemakers. In Ireland, children wrote poems about their grandfathers, displaying them in school halls. In the UK, West Northants Council and UK Men’s Sheds have launched "Dad of the Year" and "Male Employee of the Year" awards. These aren’t just feel-good gestures. They’re interventions.
What Happens After the Ceremony?
The real work begins once the lights dim. Dadzclub plans to publish a digital archive of all nominated stories — anonymized if requested — to be shared with schools, prisons, and mental health clinics. They’re also partnering with local GPs to distribute pamphlets on male mental health resources, featuring QR codes linking to free counseling services.
"This isn’t about trophies," said one volunteer who helped process 1,200 nominations. "It’s about saying: You matter. Even if no one else says it — we do."
What’s Next?
By 2026, Dadzclub hopes to expand the event to five UK cities, each hosted at a historic site with symbolic resonance — a lighthouse, a coal mine, a veterans’ hall. They’re also developing a school curriculum around "Positive Masculinity," co-written with educators and psychologists.
Meanwhile, nominations for 2026 open on January 1. If you know a man who shows up — quietly, consistently, courageously — you can still nominate him. Just don’t wait until November. Start writing now.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can be nominated for a Dadzclub award?
Any male individual — from a 12-year-old boy to a 70-year-old grandfather — can be nominated if their actions demonstrate positive impact in parenting, mental health, community service, or overcoming adversity. Nominations require consent from the nominee or their parent/carer if under 18. No professional title is needed — just genuine, consistent effort that uplifts others.
Why is the ceremony held on November 21 instead of November 19?
The global International Men’s Day is observed on November 19, but Dadzclub chose November 21 to allow more time for local planning and to ensure maximum attendance. The date also avoids conflicts with weekend travel and allows families to attend after work or school, making the event more accessible to working-class communities.
What makes The Mary Rose Museum a meaningful venue?
The Mary Rose represents resilience, teamwork, and quiet sacrifice — values that mirror the lives of many men honored at the ceremony. The ship carried hundreds of ordinary men whose stories were lost for centuries. By holding the event there, Dadzclub draws a parallel: today’s unsung heroes deserve the same recognition.
How are winners selected?
A panel reviews each nomination based on the written testimony — not resumes or social media presence. The criteria focus on impact, consistency, and authenticity. The panel has stated they prioritize stories that show transformation, not just achievement. They also consider geographic diversity and representation across age, class, and background.
What support is available for men who don’t win an award?
All nominees receive a link to a downloadable, printable International Men’s Day Certificate, designed to be framed or gifted personally. Dadzclub also provides free access to mental health resources, local support groups, and a community forum where nominees can share stories anonymously — creating a network of recognition beyond the stage.
Is this event only for fathers?
No. While parenting is one category, the awards honor men in every role: teachers, mentors, neighbors, sons, brothers, and colleagues. The only requirement is that the nominee identifies as male and has made a positive difference. One 2024 winner was a 17-year-old who started a peer counseling group after losing his brother to suicide.
