Grassroots Heroes celebrated at FAW & McDonalds’ Grassroots Football Awards

On Friday, 16^th November, representatives of grassroots football clubs across Wales attended the 2018 FAW & McDonald’s Grassroots Football Awards ceremony at Cardiff City Stadium. The awards, now in their eleventh year, is held to recognise and celebrate volunteers, coaches, clubs and leagues throughout Wales.

This year the FAW and McDonald’s Grassroots awards received over 700 nominations, which is testament to the dedication the individuals and clubs put into the grassroots game and the impact this has. Ten awards were presented at the event by Welsh football legends Ian Rush, Jayne Ludlow, Helen Ward and Danny Gabbidon.

McDonald’s Ambassador, Ian Rush, said: “Hearing all the stories from the winners is always very inspiring. The FAW & McDonald’s Grassroots Football Awards are a great way to really highlight and congratulate the grassroots heroes in Wales whilst motivating others to get involved in volunteering and coaching. Without the help and determination from clubs, coaches and volunteers the young Welsh footballers wouldn’t have the fantastic resources to grow and develop. I want to say a massive thank you to all the winners for all their hard work keeping the grassroots gaming going.”

The 2018 FAW & McDonald’s Grassroots Football Awards national winners are:

Ø  Volunteer of the Year – Colin Jackson

Ø  Community Club of the Year – Fishguard Sports AFC

Ø  Community Coach of the Year – Amlyn Ifans

Ø  Fun Football Provider of the Year – Sports Xtra

Ø  Grassroots Project of the Year - St Florence Girls

Ø  Junior League of the Year - Llyn & Eifionydd Junior League

Ø  Outstanding Achievement of the Year - David Nickless

Ø  Young Volunteer of the Year - Joseph Proietti  

Ø  Football Mum of the Year – Amanda Matthews

Ø  Football Restaurant of the Year – Bridgend

The FAW & McDonald’s Grassroots Football Awards are part of McDonald’s ongoing Community Partnership with the FAW. To find out more about McDonald’s partnership with The Welsh FA visit http://www.mcdonalds.co.uk/funfootball  or on Twitter @FunFootballUK.

For further details, please contact:

• George Costi: george.costi@redconsultancy.com / 020 7025 6480
• Vanessa Obeng: vanessa.obeng@redconsultancy.com / 020 7025 6516

Notes to Editors:

McDonald’s has been community partner with The Football Association of Wales for the past fourteen years. During this time, they have helped support hundreds of grassroots clubs to raise the standards of grassroots football across the country.

As part of McDonald’s continued commitment to improving the standard of grassroots football across Wales, McDonald’s has renewed its partnership with The Football Association of Wales for the next four years.

The partnership will focus on supporting accredited clubs, to help raise the standards of grassroots football through better safety, better advice, better coaching for better coaches, better kit, better support and better recognition for volunteers.

Being awarded The Football Association of Wales accredited club kitemark, demonstrates to all members, parents, sponsors and the general public that the club is well-run and safe with opportunities for all. There are currently over 500 clubs who have achieved the accredited club kitemark.