Five grassroots heroes from across Central Scotland have been named as regional winners of the 2016 Scottish FA Grassroots Awards, presented by McDonald’s.

Kenny Mitchell, Stephen Tortolano, Debbie Horn, Les Donaldson and Billy Ingils have been recognised for their commitment to grassroots football at a regional level after being judged by a panel of Scottish FA and McDonald’s representatives. They were presented with their awards at Ochilview Stadium, before Stenhousemuir’s recent tie against Partick Thistle.

Now all five will go on to represent the region in the national awards, with their nomination put forward to the national judging panel.

The 2016 award winners from the  Central Region are:

• Volunteer of the Year in Youth Football – Billy Ingils , Lenzie Youth Club
• Volunteer of the Year in Disability Football – Stephen Tortolano, Stirling City All Stars
• Volunteer of the Year in Schools Football – Les Donaldson, Forth Valley
• Volunteer of the Year in Adult Football – Kenny Mitchell, Dollar Glen FC
• Volunteer of the Year in Girls’/Womens’ Football – Debbie Horn, Bedlay CFC

National award winners will be announced at the annual National Grassroots Award Ceremony, which will be held at Hampden Park later in the year.

Scottish FA Club Development Manager, Alan Taylor, said: “It's always incredibly inspiring to see the dedication of the hardworking volunteers who make grassroots football happen across the Central Region.

"These awards are well-deserved recognition for our five regional winners, and a great way of saying thank you for their invaluable work. We wish them the best of luck in the selection process for the national awards."

McDonald’s has been community partner of the Scottish FA for over 14 years. Together we will be working to help Quality Mark clubs raise the standards of grassroots football through better safety, better advice, better coaching for better coaches, better kit, better support and better recognition for volunteers.