Grassroots football heroes from across Northern Ireland have been honoured at the 2013 McDonald’s Irish FA Community Awards, held in Derry~Londonderry for the first time.

Coaches, clubs and volunteers were honoured by football icons and longstanding McDonald’s ambassadors Pat Jennings, Sir Geoff Hurst and Ian Rush at the ceremony, rewarding local grassroots heroes with nine awards including Coach of the Year, Accredited Club of the Year and Volunteer of the Year.Among the winners on the night were Moneyslane FC’s Leonard Blakely, who took home the award for Outstanding Contribution to football.

The Rathfriland coach has given over 20 years of service to the local community across a number of different roles with Moneyslane FC, which include everything from coaching players and writing match reports to organising transport for games and looking after club finances.

Another winner on the night was Albert Foundry’s John Moore from Bangor who took home the highly coveted People’s Award. The award is decided by a public vote, with John’s work with Albert Foundry and his coordination of coaching courses to raise money for charity striking a chord with the public.McDonald’s Head of Northern Ireland Football and goalkeeping legend Pat Jennings attended the awards and said:

“The McDonald’s Irish FA Community Awards is our way of saying thank you to the coaches, clubs and volunteers who give up their time to help young footballers across Northern Ireland shine.“Everyone that has been nominated for an award has shown outstanding commitment to their local community and I’d like to extend my congratulations to the winners and the nominees for their fantastic achievements in local football.”

Eight category winners were announced on the evening, with Leonard Blakely receiving the main award for Outstanding Contribution to grassroots football.  Full winner details are as follows;• Outstanding Contribution – Leonard Blakely, Moneyslane FC, Banbridge• Volunteer of the Year – Vickie Nelson, Ards FC, Newtownards• Female Coach of the Year – Heather McCracken, Comber Rec, Comber• Disability Coach of the Year – Sharlene Rainey, Trailblazers Powerchair FC, Newtownabbey• Accredited Club of the Year – Carniny Amateur & Youth FC, Ballymena• Community Relations – Cliff Bennett, Tobermore United Youth Academy, Tobermore• People’s Award – John Moore, Albert Foundry FC, Belfast• Coach of the Year – Stephen Lynch, St Oliver Plunkett Boys, Belfast

Irish FA President Jim Shaw also attended the awards and added: “The Irish FA is delighted to once again join with McDonald's to reward the real heroes of football in Northern Ireland.  McDonald's has been the Official Community Partner of the Association since 2002 and has been fantastic in its support of grassroots football over the last decade. On behalf of this partnership, I’d like to offer my congratulations to all the winners and nominees and wish them well as they continue to make football in our country such a big success.”

The Awards are an important part of McDonald’s Community Partnership with the Irish FA, a partnership that celebrated ten years in 2012 and is helping young footballers shine. This programme leaves a lasting legacy for grassroots football in Northern Ireland through on-going coach creation and education, a series of regional Small Sided Games Centres and the Club Accreditation Scheme, raising standards for local clubs by ensuring they have appropriate structures in place. 

McDonald’s Kickstart is a website where local clubs can secure funding for development projects, get access to once-in-a-lifetime opportunities like your child’s chance to walk out as a Player Escort at International fixtures and useful information on coaching or running a club.  For full details visit www.mcdonalds.co.uk/KickStart

ENDS