James Strathdee from Glasgow is celebrating after walking away with a top honour at the ninth Scottish FA Grassroots Awards, presented by McDonald’s and the Sunday Mail.
James Strathdee was named as the McDonald’s Community Champion at the awards ceremony held at Hampden Park on the 27th September. The awards celebrate the efforts of the tireless volunteers who give their valuable time and effort to provide footballing opportunities in communities across Scotland.
James has been coaching and involved at Glasgow Girls FC for many years and over this time has developed a strong relationship between the club and the local community, setting up the Glasgow Girls Active Schools Programme as a result. The schools programme involves integration of the club coaches into the local community with coaches visiting 47 schools in and around Glasgow offering hours of free coaching each week.
Scottish legend and McDonald’s Head of Scottish Football, Kenny Dalglish, praised James for his commitment to grassroots football in Scotland: “Football in communities is built on the dedication of people like James. Without the hard work and dedication of all the grassroots volunteers like James Scottish football simply wouldn’t exist. What James has accomplished over the past year to help develop football in the community and at his club is truly worthy of the recognition he received at the awards ceremony.
James added: “I feel so overwhelmed to have received this award and would like to dedicate it to everyone at Glasgow Girls FC. It’s a fantastic club to be involved with and there’s a whole host of other people who I wish I could name individually who give up their time week in, week out to make it what it is today. I look forward to the club continuing to grow and develop over the next year and hope we can encourage more girls into the game as a result”
Dalglish added: “As a long-term supporter of football in Scottish communities, McDonald’s is proud to champion those that give up so much of their time, providing young footballers the opportunity to shine in a fun and friendly environment.”
The ninth Scottish FA Grassroots Awards, presented by McDonald’s and the Sunday Mail were held at Hampden Park on 27th September 2012. The awards cover ten categories including Best Volunteer in Youth Football, Best Community Football Club and McDonald’s Franchisee Community Champion Award.
Over the last 10 years McDonald’s has been committed to raising the standards of grassroots football, working alongside the Scottish FA. McDonald’s now support over 4,500 grassroots clubs, have created over 2,000 new community coaches and have seen the launch of 1,800 new football teams. By 2014 McDonald’s will work with the Scottish FA to encourage the participation of 13,000 new volunteers and 10,000 new coaches in grassroots football across Scotland.