Local football clubs, volunteers and coaches who selflessly dedicate their time and energy to the Scottish grassroots game are being honoured across the country at regional Scottish FA Grassroots Awards ceremonies.
Now in their 16th year, the Scottish FA grassroots awards presented by McDonald’s and the Sunday Mail aim to recognise and reward people across the country that make a difference to grassroots football in their local community.
The regional awards ceremonies recognise and celebrate the lifeblood of the game across the six Scottish FA Regions, who dedicate their time to grassroots football in their local community.
Awards are presented at local ceremonies, with the winners of the local awards eligible to win the national award, presented at a showpiece national ceremony later in the year.
Andy Gould, Head of Football Development at the Scottish FA: “The regional Grassroots Awards ceremonies are a real highlight of the year for us here at the Scottish FA, as they allow us to pay tribute to some of the most inspiring people in grassroots football across the nation.
“Every year we hear fantastic tales of the dedication from these people that never cease to amaze and the regional awards ceremonies are a wonderful way to recognise their efforts.”
Central Region
The winners of the Central region awards, presented on Tuesday, 24 July at Fir Park, were:
Best Volunteer in Adult Football: Gordon McAuley
Best Volunteer in Youth Football: Josephine Rodger
Best Volunteer in Girls/Women's Football: Kirsty Cunningham
Best Para-Football Project: Clyde Powerchair FC
Best Community Football for All Project: Mental Health Programme – Warriors in the Community
Best Young Volunteer: Ben Mitchell
West Region
The winners of the West region awards, presented on Tuesday, 24 July at Hampden Park, were:
Best Volunteer in Adult Football: Gerry McDonnell
Best Volunteer in Youth Football: James McMillan
Best Volunteer in Girls/Women's Football: Iain Ferrie
Best Para-Football Project: Special Olympics Scotland West (Firhill)
Best Community Football for All Project: Tackling Recovery, Queens Park FC
Best Young Volunteer: Kristy McGunnigle
North Region
The winners of the North region awards, presented on Thursday, 26 July at Pittodrie, prior to the Aberdeen v Burnley Europa League tie, were:
GRASSROOTS AWARDS | Congratulations to all North Regional Award winners who where presented with their awards at the tonight's @AberdeenFC v @BurnleyOfficial @EuropaLeague match.
— North (@sfa_north) July 26, 2018
@BetterPlayUK pic.twitter.com/KHZtYrMPCi
Best Volunteer in Adult Football: Murray Coghill
Best Volunteer in Youth Football: Lindsay Bartlet
Best Volunteer in Girls/Women's Football: Lesley Chapman
Best Para-Football Project: Highland United FC
Best Community Football for All Project: Banchory Community FC
Best Young Volunteer: Robbie Williamson
East Region
The winners of the East region awards, presented on Saturday, 28 July at Dens Park, were:
Congratulations to ALL our McDonalds Grassroots Volunteer Award Winners today! @BreadalbaneFC @FairfieldCSH @StJamesYouths @Riversidecsc @CraigieCSH @DundeeWestFC @LevenmouthAc @EastFifeFC pic.twitter.com/hhHSYBPFfP
— East Region (@sfa_east) July 28, 2018
Best Volunteer in Adult Football: George Allan
Best Volunteer in Youth Football: Peter Kingston
Best Volunteer in Girls/Women's Football: Jayne Digby
Best Para-Football Project: St James FC
Best Community Football for All Project: Breadalbane Community Football Club
Best Young Volunteer: Steven McLelland
South East Region
The winners of the South East regional awards, presented on Saturday, 25 August at Easter Road prior to the Hibernian v Aberdeen match, were:
Best Volunteer in Adult Football: Alastir Matheson
Best Volunteer in Youth Football: Norrie Anderson
Best Volunteer in Women's/Girls Football: Nigel Thorpe
Best Para-Football Project: Broxburn United - Team United Autism Club
Best Community Football for All Initiative: Big Hearts - Sporting Memories
Best Young Volunteer: Robbie Anderson
South West Region
The winners of the South West regional awards, presented on Thursday, 30 August at the Scotland Women's National Team World Cup qualifier against Switzerland, were:
Best Volunteer in Adult Football: Douglas McKendrick
Best Volunteer in Youth Football: Richard Gillespie
Best Volunteer in Girls/Women's Football: Bethany Hay
Best Para-Football Project: South Ayrshire Tigers - Powerchair Football
Best Community Football for All Project: BSA Raemonn Gormley Festival
Best Young Volunteer: Lyall Cameron