McDonald's Awards 2009

Grassroots Awards Winners 2009

Friday, 13 February 2009

The people who volunteer their time and energy to develop football in communities around Scotland have been honoured at the 6th Scottish FA Grassroots Awards.

The awards, sponsored by McDonald’s and in conjunction with the Sunday Mail, were presented by National Coach George Burley and Scotland legend Kenny Dalglish at a ceremony at Hampden Park.

Kenny Dalglish was full of praise for this year’s winners. He said: “Everybody who was presented with an award was full of humility. To them it's always someone else who has done the hard work and should get the credit. It's no surprise because these winners don't do it for awards - they do it for a love of the game.”

Scottish FA head of football development, Jim Fleeting, hosted the awards ceremony. He said: “All of this year’s winners work tirelessly to improve grassroots football in Scotland, and they deserve our thanks and appreciation. Every one of them has made a massive impact on their communities, and the positive effects of their efforts are felt throughout Scottish football. We’re delighted to give them the recognition they deserve.”

The Grassroots Awards 2009 winners are:

Merit Award for Services to Football - Stewart McKenzie, Cumbernauld Colts

Team of the Year - Young Falkirk FC U14

Volunteer in Adult Football - George Kirk, Lochar Thistle

Volunteer in Youth Football - Thomas Smith, Hutchison Vale FC

Volunteer in Women’s/Girls’ Football - Angela Wilson, Motherwell FC Girls

Volunteer in Disability Football - Kevin Ritchie, Princess Royal Trust, Devronvale

McDonald’s Grassroots Community Club - Spartans FC

McDonald’s Coach of the Year - Philip Reilly

Most Supportive McDonald’s Restaurant - Castlemilk (Kate and Kenny Walker)

Most Supportive Professional Player - Scott Agnew, Ayr United

Primary School - Drumlanrig St Cuthberts Primary School, Hawick

Primary Teacher - Fiona McAvoy, Cairn Primary School, South Ayrshire

McDonald’s and the Scottish FA, Community Partners since 2002, have developed a Community Coaching Programme to raise standards in grassroots football. The programme has created over 1,400 community coaches across Scotland since 2002, providing over 80,000 children with access to quality coaching during school time. For more information on McDonald’s coaching programme, please go to www.mcdonalds.co.uk