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Scottish FA Grassroots Awards
in association with the Sunday Mail and McDonald's

People's Choice Vote 2019

  McDonald's Grassroots AwardsSunday mail

Ayla Esen

South-East Region

Ayla Esen is an outstanding example of good practice and has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to support the development of girl’s football in the South East Region in a range of different capacities. As well as an impressive track record in volunteer coaching – she has racked up around 500 hours of volunteering despite only being 17 – Ayla has also supported the sport through the acquisition of her coaching badges at both Children’s and Youth pathway level and is now working toward her C licence. She is now the lead coach for the Hibs Under-9 girls’ team but has also now turned her hand to refereeing.

She actively encourages others to get involved in the game through volunteering. Quiet, dedicated and thoughtful, Ayla is the perfect example of someone who is making a substantial contribution to the development of football in her community with the potential for a long lasting legacy.

With a passion for both playing and coaching the beautiful game, Ayla has made full use of the Scottish FA Volunteer Inspire Programme supported through Cashback for Communities. Still enrolled at high school, her spare time is split between turning out for Blackburn United and coaching in her local community. With an excellent manner with the players, a good sense of organisation and a continued enthusiasm to try new opportunities, Ayla is an integral part of the local girls’ football community.

WATCH AYLA'S STORY HERE

Alistair Martin

East Region

Alistair Martin has been involved in grassroots football for more than 60 years and is widely known in the local amateur game for his time as a player, coach and official at Broughty United Amateurs. In addition, he served on the Midlands Football Amateur Association (MAFA) regional and national committees and is a life member of the Scottish Amateur Football Association.

Ally joined Broughty United AFC aged 15 as a player and then served as secretary from 1965-1980, becoming the club President until 2003 after which, he was subsequently made an honorary life president of the club. In 2015 he was awarded the Scottish Amateur Association Life Membership in recognition of exceptional and outstanding services to football.

This year he agreed with the Scottish FA East Region for MAFA to house and take on the administration of a new Over 35s League in the East Region this year, now providing an established structure for more than 400 players over the age of 35 to play football.

Even after retiring from playing Ally would still help out his former club Broughty should they have a goalkeeping problem with injuries and suspensions – he even played at the age of 61. He has been a driving force behind the adult game across Tayside and has played a significant role in grassroots football across Scotland.

WATCH ALLY'S STORY HERE

Euan Macleod

North Region

Euan works tirelessly to nurture and develop girls and women’s football in the Western Isles. He manages and coaches the Lewis & Harris Women’s Football team as well as the women’s football team who represent the Western Isles at the International Island games. Euan’s dedication to the women’s and girls’ game has seen three girls from the Isle of Lewis signing for Inverness Caledonian Thistle, Rangers and Celtic, while one of the girls has achieved four international caps at Under-15/16 level for Scotland in the past year.

He spends four nights a week, on top of weekends coaching the women and girls. His commitment and dedication to the cause sees his spend hours researching, organising, scheduling every match, training or opportunity possible. He not only coaches but also drives the minibus to games, arranges fund raising events, washes all the kit and monitors player nutrition, which has improved the players’ technical ability and fitness.

Euan has successfully taken teams to three World Island Games and has not only dedicated time during the run up to the event, but sourced a huge amount of local sponsorship and funding to reduce the cost for the players. He plans morning gym sessions, training sessions and weekends away to the mainland to play games and dedicates a huge amount of time off the pitch to ensure the club and the Island has the resources available to play competitive football while running the club efficiently.

WATCH EUAN'S STORY

Gary Grahamslaw

Central Region

Gary Grahamslaw is a founder member of Cambusbarron Rovers AFC, where he has been club secretary for over 35 years. An ever-present at matches and training, Gary still performs all the fundamental tasks required to run any football club: pitch preparation, cleaning changing rooms, washing strips, maintaining the pavilion and essential fund-raising.

His greatest achievement at Cambusbarron has been to ensure the club’s continuity over the years during some barren periods. He has also developed hundreds of players and coaches throughout his time – many players have gone on to greater things thanks to the time he dedicates to everyone at his club – and he has offered ever-present support to each and every coach and manager that has served the club. His latest project is to launch the Wee Rovers, intended to create a legacy for young players in and around the village.

Gary has led Cambusbarron in an exemplary manner and is an outstanding ambassador, not only for the club, but also the village community it serves. He is the heart and soul of Cambusbarron Rovers AFC and the amateur game in Scotland is a better place because of his continued commitment to the game.

WATCH GARY'S STORY HERE

 

Voting closes 11.59pm on Wednesday, 18 September 2019.

Only one vote per person.

People's Choice Award Vote

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