Grassroots hero Alistair West, from Dundee, has been named winner of the Scottish FA’s East region’s Volunteer in Youth Football Award, in the 2012 Scottish FA Grassroots Awards, presented by McDonald’s and the Sunday Mail.
Brian Harris, aged 33 from Dundee, has won the East region’s Best Volunteer in Schools Football Award.
Jimmy Leitch, 50 from Fife, is winner of the region’s Best Volunteer in Adult Football award.
Liz Anderson, from East Fife, won the Best Volunteer in Girls’ and Women’s Football Award.
Nick Cadger, Gregor MacDonald and Richard Monese, from Fife, have been named winners of the Best Volunteer in Disability Football Award.
The Grassroots Awards celebrate those young players, coaches and volunteers in the six Scottish FA regions, who dedicate their time to supporting grassroots football in their local community.
Alistair West, has been volunteering in football for over two years and in this time has progressed to coaching the Under 6 and Under 8 teams at Riverside Community Sports Club.
His passion to develop the club has seen no bounds, not only does Alistair organise the coaches in his age groups - ensuring that they have the correct Scottish FA coaching badges - he has also progressed the development of a girls section for the first time in the clubs history.
Most importantly however Alistair acts as the link between the surrounding schools and Riverside Community Sports Club, developing a lasting legacy in the clubs name.
Since adopting the position at the club there has been considerable growth allowing the club to offer as many young footballers the opportunity to play.
Alistair said: “It is a fantastic feeling to have been recognised across the region and I am extremely humbled.
The people and community that support this club are fantastic and I wouldn’t do all of this if it wasn’t for them.
"I just hope that I can do them all proud now I have been put through to the National Awards shortlist.”
Brian Harris is currently the coach of the Under-13s at Dundee West FC and also uses his spare time to train Glebelands PS in the Dundee Girls Football League.
As well as coaching both sides he has undertaken numerous roles, such as referee and linesman, to ensure that all of the children have regular football. Despite having a young family and being a student, Brian has found time to recently undertake a coach education course to further enhance his all-round knowledge of coaching.
Jimmy Weir has been involved in amateur football for 34 years in the Fife area.
After a long playing career he became coach and manager of Cycel Tavern FC and before moving to coach and manager of Auchtermuchty Bellvue.
Despite juggling managing and coaching the sides he also finds the time to look after the pitch and pavilion as well running the kitchen on a match day.
His dedication even extends to him hosting fundraising events in order to generate funds to keep the club afloat year after year.
Liz Anderson has played a remarkable part in the running of East Fife Ladies Football Club which has seen her fulfil a number of roles including player-manager of the ladies team, coach of the Under 15s, committee member, coach co-ordinator and fundraiser.
Liz has also been instrumental in implementing a school to club programme that involves creating formal ties with the local schools in the Levenmouth area.
In the space of a two year period Liz has managed to create a club that consists of a regular football from children through to the adult game.
Nick Cadger, Gregor MacDonald and Richard Monese have played a crucial role in ensuring their local school have played an increasingly active part in the local schools league.
Nick from Balwearie High School, Gregor from Lochgelly High School and Richardm from Woodmill High School have all placed an importance on inclusion throughout the 7-a-side league and now there are as many girls involved as boys.
All three of the coaches have contributed an exceptional amount to the development of football in Fife for players with disabilities.
Kevin Lee, Scottish FA club development manager for the East region, said: “All of our winners are legends of the game in our eyes and it is right that we take the time, not just to recognise their dedication to the game, but also to say thank you for the enthusiasm and time that they give up.
"Without the 1000s of volunteers dedicating their time and effort passing on their skills to others, grassroots football in local communities simply wouldn’t happen.
"I want to wish them the best of luck in the national awards later this year, and we look forward to hearing the results.”