The grassroots heroes of the South West region were recently recognised thanks to the 2014 Scottish FA Grassroots Awards, presented by McDonald’s.

For over a decade the Scottish FA Grassroots Awards have recognised and celebrated the young players, volunteers and clubs across the six Scottish FA Regions who dedicate their time to grassroots football in their local community.

Jimmy Locke from Mauchline won the South West Scottish FA’s Volunteer in Adult Football category. Jimmy has been involved in Amateur football since the age of 16 and for the last 50 years has played a valuable part in the development of grassroots football in the region. During his time involved in grassroots football has been a player, coach, manager, committee member and club secretary in addition to the various roles he undertakes as part of Ayrshire Amateur FA. Jimmy is a fierce supporter of grassroots football and the values it seeks to uphold and has committed countless hours of his own time on a voluntary basis over the years for the benefit of the game.

Dougie Borland, who won the award in the Volunteer in Disability Football category,  has been an inspiration to the Blantyre Soccer Academy squad in the short period of time that he has been in charge. Over the past 13 months he has grown this squad from just four boys to over 25 members and now runs two successful teams. He works tirelessly to encourage the boys and has built a unit full of camaraderie and belief. Without him the disability section at Blantyre Soccer Academy wouldn’t exist, he is a true grassroots hero and deserves the credit for what he has achieved at the club.

Michael Baird dedicates countless hours to KSC Girls Football Academy come hail, rain or shine, summer holidays or school breaks Mick continues to coach and support the teams. Thanks to his tireless efforts the academy has grown from strength to strength, starting with just nine girls the academy now boasts over 50 ranging from three to 15 years old, earning him the volunteering award in the Girls and Women’s Football category.

Tom McGowan has been a cornerstone of schools football in Dumfries and Galloway for over 40 years, and he this year’s Volunteer in Schools Football award winner. He has held many positions, ranging from standing on the side-lines coaching and running his Dumfries High School team to leading school teams into adult football through Southern Counties representation and taking schools and selection teams at Local, Regional and National level. Tom has also held positions as President and Vice President of the Scottish Schools and is a Life Member of the Scottish Schools.

As winners of a regional Scottish FA and McDonald’s Grassroots Award, they are all now in with the chance of winning the national accolade selected by a judging panel of Scottish FA representatives.

The National Awards will be presented to winners at a prestigious ceremony, attended by legends of the game including McDonald’s Head of Scottish Football Kenny Dalglish, held at Hampden Park on September 25th.

McDonald’s Head of Scottish Football, Kenny Dalglish, said: “The Scottish FA and McDonald’s grassroots awards recognise and celebrate the hard work of hundreds of grassroots volunteers across Scotland. Volunteers are the lifeblood of the game, they dedicate countless hours to ensure young players have an opportunity to play and, importantly, enjoy football. It is important that we say thank you to the volunteers and clubs who ensure that grassroots football progresses. I would like to personally thank all of them for their hard work and  on winning a regional award.”

To find out more about the Scottish FA Grassroots Awards presented by McDonald’s and The Sunday Mail, log on to www.mcdonalds.co.uk/awards and follow @2014Grassroots.