16 local clubs and schools have been recognised for their valuable contribution to grassroots football.

At a special awards evening at the Doubletree Dunblane Stadium, the clubs were presented with their Scottish FA Quality Mark Awards by Elliot Jardine, of a local McDonald’s franchise.

The Quality Mark Accreditation Scheme, run by the Scottish FA in partnership with McDonald’s and sportscotland, recognises proactive clubs and schools working to increase youth and community participation. There are three Quality Mark categories - Standard, Development, and Community.

The following clubs received their awards:

Alva Swifts
Tullibody
LK Galaxy
Stenhousemuir
Milton
Haldane Utd
Rossvale
Rosebank Utd
Wishaw Wycombe
Bargeddie Colts
Clydeside
Seafar Villa
Lenzie Youth

Clubs and schools receive the award after meeting standards in areas such as coach and player development, management, administration, welfare and planning. So far more than 250 clubs and schools have achieved accreditation over the three categories, and over 4,000 coaches have benefited from coach education and first aid training.

Alan Taylor said "It was fantastic to have some many volunteers from our Quality Mark clubs together for the 2011 Club Awards Day.  We are really grateful to the coaches and volunteers at our Quality Mark clubs and our Awards Day is our opportunity to say thank you and well done to all the clubs who have achieved Quality Mark status during the year.  The clubs also have the opportunity to spend some time getting to know each other, share some ideas and good practice which we are sure will allow them to continue to develop their club"
 
John Glancy, Chaiorman of Wishaw Wishaw Wycombe Wanderers said;
"The three of us really enjoyed the day and it was good to meet some coaches from other clubs who have achieved various levels of Quality Mark and we picked up some really useful tips from them which we will certainly use moving forward.
 
Wishaw Wycombe Wanderers really appreciate the help and support you have given us this year and look forward to working with you next year in achieving the next level in Quality Mark."

McDonald’s, Scottish FA’s community partner since 2002, are committed to helping young footballers shine by attracting 13,000 new volunteers and 10,000 new coaches by 2014, as well as supporting 600 clubs and 52,000 players through new and existing football networks.

Through Quality Mark, McDonald’s and the Scottish FA aim to provide support to grassroots clubs and schools across Scotland as they strive to broaden youth and community participation and to enhance player, coach and volunteer development. 
The Quality Mark Accreditation Scheme is supported by sportscotland, the national agency for sport. sportscotland has one clear focus – to develop a world class sporting system for Scotland – and works with partners to build success for Scottish sport.
sportscotland is a key partner in the delivery of youth football programmes, investing over £1m per year in activities including employment of club development staff, discounted coach education and training for volunteers.
For further information on the Scottish FA Quality Mark programme, please visit www.scottishfa.co.uk/footballdevelopment