Thirty-six clubs were honoured at the annual Scottish FA South West Regional Quality Mark Awards, supported by McDonald’s, on Saturday.
The Park Hotel, next door to Kilmarnock FC’s Rugby Park, played host to the event where clubs and volunteers were recognised for their outstanding work in the grassroots game.
To gain one of the awards - Standard, Development, Community or Legacy – clubs must meet the relevant Quality Mark criteria.
Designed to support and recognise the work of clubs who have the desire to be the very best they can be, the Scottish FA Quality Mark accreditation programme aims to improve and support club structures relating to management, development, administration, planning and welfare.
Former Kilmarnock FC players Garry Hay and Paul Di Giacomo assisted in the presentation of the awards alongside Louise Roe and Lianne Patterson from McDonald’s, the official sponsor of the Scottish FA’s community clubs. A video featuring Community and Legacy Level clubs, produced by Scott Morrison, was screened to showcase the work each of the clubs do in their local community, whilst guest speaker Willie Young also entertained the audience as he recalled stories from his time in the middle as a grade one referee.
Jim Fleeting, Scottish FA Director of Football Development, closed the awards with a vote of thanks and talked passionately about the value of having good people within our clubs.
Scottish FA South West Regional Manager, John Brown, said: "The Quality Mark Awards is an opportunity to highlight all the great work done in grassroots football throughout the region and we are pleased that so many clubs have engaged in the process this year.
"We are delighted with the continued support from our community partners McDonald’s, and it speaks volumes for the strength of the relationship that Louise and Lianne were so willing to give up their time on a Saturday afternoon to assist with the awards presentation.
"For many of the clubs being recognised, Quality Mark is a key component of their vision and ethos, and for others who are just starting the journey it has helped them think more about planning for the future and becoming more sustainable.’’
David Sheldon, Scottish FA South West Regional Club Development Manager, said: "It has been a pleasure working with every one of these clubs this year."It is remarkable to see the amount of time and effort people are prepared to give on a voluntary basis just to let people play football, and the awards are a great way to say thank you and to recognise the work the volunteers do.”
Click on the link to see our Clubs in action https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TBq5nk04YoM
If you would like to engage or find out more about the Quality Mark accreditation scheme please visit our website http://www.scottishfa.co.uk/scottishfootball.cfm?page=2990 ) or contact South West Region Club Development Manager David Sheldon ( david.sheldon@scottishfa.co.uk ).
STANDARD AWARD: Ardrossan Castle Rovers: Kilwinning Rangers FC : Abbey Vale FC: Creetown FC: Dalbeattie Star FC: Fleet Star FC: Mid Annandale FC: Nithsdale Wanderers: St Cuthberts FC: Wigtown & Bladnoch FC: Largs Colts: Ayr Boswell: Girvan FC: Carluke Rovers: Largs Thistle FC: Edu Academy: Lochar Thistle: EK Thistle FC:
DEVELOPMENT AWARD: Hamilton Academicals G & W FC: Clark Drive Girls: Forth CFC: Cunninghame FC: Prestwick CFC: Larkhall Thistle AFC: Crosshouse BC: Threave Rovers: EK United CFC:
COMMUNITY AWARD: Heston Rovers: Beith Juniors CFC: Glenburn Miners Welfare: TASS Thistle FC: Dean Thistle: EKFC:
LEGACY AWARD: Blantyre Soccer Academy: Cumnock JCE: Annan Athletic.