The McDonald’s Irish FA Community Awards 2013 have been launched to recognise and reward the clubs, coaches and volunteers that make outstanding contributions to grassroots football right across Northern Ireland.

Nominations are now open at www.mcdonalds.co.uk/KickStart or www.irishfa.com/communityawards so if you know a coach, club or volunteer that deserves recognition for their contribution to the beautiful game at grassroots level please complete an online nomination form.

Pat Jennings, McDonald’s Head of Northern Ireland Football, gives his backing to the awards initiative; “The McDonald’s Irish FA Community Awards are an excellent way of showcasing and paying tribute to the great work that is being done in grassroots football clubs and communities right across Northern Ireland.  These coaches, clubs and volunteers do so much for the local game and their dedication and commitment to the players they coach is exceptional; it is only fitting that McDonald’s and the Irish FA pay special tribute to them as these are the heroes of grassroots football.”  

The 2012 Awards event saw Northern Ireland’s local unsung heroes being celebrated during a gala evening where special guests Sir Geoff Hurst, Ian Rush, Eric Harrison and Pat Jennings joined Northern Ireland Manager Michael O’Neill in helping McDonald’s and the Irish FA celebrate their achievements in the game at grassroots level.

Regional awards will take place in 2013; with winners selected for Regional Coach of the Year, Volunteer of the Year and Accredited Club of the Year in their own areas; each winner will then be shortlisted for the overall Awards evening. The People’s Award was introduced last year and is also being repeated in 2013.  This allows members of the public to decide the winner by a public vote after an initial shortlist has been developed, with last year’s winner being Jackie Mooney from Camlough Rovers FC. People are encouraged to follow the McDonald’s Irish FA Community Awards on twitter @2013Grassroots.

The 2012 Female Coach of the Year Hannah Majury highlights just what it meant to receive her award; “It was really great to be recognised for doing something that you love doing.  No coach does it for the awards, they do it for the children and to make sure they enjoy it and progress, but it’s nice to know that somebody values what you’re doing.  I’d like to encourage everyone involved in grassroots football to make sure they are nominated for the 2013 awards because it really is a great confidence boost and to share the stage with the legends of the game was something very special.”

The McDonald’s Irish FA Community Awards form a key part of McDonald’s Community Partnership with the Irish FA; a partnership that has been developing grassroots football since 2002 and is helping young footballers shine.  This partnership is delivering a lasting legacy for grassroots football through ongoing coach creation and education, a new Club Accreditation Scheme, the McDonald’s Irish FA Community Awards and through a series of regional Small Sided Games Centres.

ENDS

Notes to editors

For further information on the McDonald’s Community Football Programme visit www.mcdonalds.co.uk/KickStart

For further information please contact Shane Finnegan or Patrick Finlay at Aiken PR on 02890663000 or email patrick@aikenpr.com