26 local clubs and schools from the Scottish FA’s East region have been recognised for their valuable contribution to grassroots football.

At a special awards day on Saturday 24 November at East End Park, Dunfermline the clubs were presented with their Scottish FA Quality Mark Awards by Andrew Gould (Head of Regional Development, Scottish FA) and Dave Jeffrey (McDonalds Licensee).

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 four Quality Mark categories - Standard, Development, Community and Legacy.

The following clubs received an award on the night:

Standard
AM Soccer Club
Brechin Vicoria JFC
Burntisland Shipyard FC
Carnoustie Panmure JFC
Dundee Celtic Boys Club
Dundee Rangers Boys Club
Dundee Thistle FC
Dunfermline Girls FC
Elgin Star FC
Forfar Albion JFC
Forfar Boys Club
Forfar West End JFC
Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts FC
Kelty Marion Colts
Kinross Colts FC
Lochside Boys Club
Luncarty FC
Morgan FP AFC
St Andrews Colts
St John’s YFC
West Fife Pheonix FC
Community
Bayside FC
Carnoustie Panmure FC
Development
Dryburgh Athletic FC
Celtic Girls Tayside FC
Raith Rovers Ladies & Girls FC

Clubs and schools are recognised through the scheme after demonstrating outstanding performances in areas such as coach and player development, management, administration, welfare and planning. By the end of 2012 more than 390 clubs and schools will have achieved accreditation over the four categories.

Scottish FA Club Development Manager, Kevin Lee, said: “We are delighted to have been able to recognise all the fantastic work that the clubs and schools do 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 all 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.

For further information on the Scottish FA Quality Mark programme, please visit www.scottishfa.co.uk/qualitymark