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Grassroots club, Giffnock Soccer Centre, has been named winner of the prestigious Best Community Football Club Award at the 2013 Scottish FA Grassroots Awards thanks to their incredible work providing football to over 900 grassroots footballers in their local region.
Representatives from Giffnock Soccer Centre collected the award at Hampden Park at the national ceremony from McDonald’s Head of Scottish Football, Kenny Dalglish and Scotland Assistant National Coach Mark McGhee.
Giffnock Soccer Centre, founded in 1995, is run entirely by over 160 unpaid grassroots coaches who dedicate their time and efforts to the club.
As one of the largest Scottish FA Quality Mark Community Clubs in the area it has recently witnessed rapid expansion growing from nearly 600 players to over 900 thanks to the introduction of more age groups and a girls section in the last couple of years.
The club firmly believe that all should have an opportunity to play and offer a variety of options to young grassroots footballers in the area depending on their ability.
Most importantly though no player is left out and those that are not selected for matches have dedicated training put on for them on Saturday mornings so each player can participate each week in a safe and fun environment.
Over 160 volunteers from across the area dedicate countless hours each week to the club and thanks to their time the club have been able to set up a girls section and a disability football section.
Giffnock Soccer Centre is all about one thing - providing for their community and making sure football is available to everyone who wants to take part.
Now in their 10th year, the awards recognise and celebrate the young players, clubs, coaches and volunteers in the six Scottish FA Regions, who dedicate their time to grassroots football in their local community.
This year, hundreds of nominations were received from across the country, with nominees first recognised at a regional level across the five volunteer categories before going on to be shortlisted for the national awards.
McDonald’s Head of Scottish Football, Kenny Dalglish said: “Giffnock Soccer Centre is just one great example of the work being done by grassroots clubs across Scotland. The volunteers that dedicate countless hours of time have created something really quite special that allows hundreds of young aspiring footballers the opportunity to participate in the game on a weekly basis.
"More importantly though it offers everyone an opportunity to play regardless of ability and that is fantastic. It’s important that we recognise them and say thank you for their extraordinary efforts. My congratulations go to Giffnock Soccer Centre it was a pleasure to present them with an award.”