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Deveron Youth FC have been recognised for their valuable contribution to grassroots football.

The club has recently received a Quality Mark Standard Award.

Quality Mark is the Association’s accreditation programme designed to support and recognise the work of grassroots clubs and teams who have a desire to be the very best they can be.

There are five levels - Entry, Standard, Development, Community or Legacy – all related to a list of criteria on areas such as club structure, coach education and administration.

Clubs are recognised through the scheme after demonstrating outstanding performances in areas such as coach and player development, management, administration, welfare and planning.

Kevin Stewart, Football Development Officer at Deveron Youth, said: “We are absolutely delighted and very proud to receive this award.

“The hard work has paid off and this is purely down to the dedication and commitment from our Committee and Coaches.

"We truly have a very dedicated team in and around the club with a very bright future, On behalf of Deveron Youth FC we would like to thank Mark Slater for his help and support in gaining this award and look forward to working with Mark in the near future in the next step in gaining the Development award.”

Scottish FA Club Development Manager for the North region, Mark Slater, said: “We are delighted to have been able to recognise all the fantastic work that the club does for grassroots football.

"They put a lot of time ensuring they provide a fun and safe environment for youngsters to enjoy football.

"Without them, local children simply wouldn’t be able to play our national game. Well done to them for achieving the high standards required to gain a Quality Mark Award and many thanks to McDonald’s and sportscotland for their continued support of the programme.”

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 the Quality Mark Awards scheme, 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.