Search for volunteer heroes is on

Nominations for the 2020 Scottish FA Grassroots Awards are now open, shining a light on those who deserve some well-earned recognition in grassroots football.

The annual awards, presented by McDonald’s, are now in their 18th year and celebrate individuals across the country who are making a difference to football in their local community.

Despite the current football shutdown, the inspired work of committed individuals in the grassroots game over the past year will be recognised, with nominations open until July 3.

Volunteers in the Stirling area have been successful over the past few years with Milton AFC secretary Josephine Rodger winning the Best Volunteer in Youth Football in 2018 and the club’s co-founder Pat Griffin landing the award for Adult Football in 2013 before following it up with the inaugural People’s Award.

Former Stirling Albion Junior Academy coach Ben Mitchell collected the Best Young Person Award 12 in 2018.

Grassroots clubs, coaches and volunteers from the six Scottish FA regions can be nominated for the awards, which are split in to regional and national categories.

The best of the regional winners will be celebrated at a showpiece national ceremony.

Andy Gould, Scottish FA Head of Football Development:“In the past year, the grassroots game has continued to flourish, but the challenges presented by Covid-19 have been astronomical for everyone in football, from the very top level all the way through to the grassroots game. The dedication shown by thousands of volunteers across the country all year round deserves recognition, so I would like to thank everyone who commits their time and energy to our game.”

Award categories are as follows: Best Volunteer in Youth Football; Best Volunteer in Adult Football; Best Volunteer in Girls’/Women’s’ Football; Best Para-Football Project; Best Community Football for All Project; Best Young Volunteer; Best Community Football Club and Best Professional Football Club in the Community.

For more information, or to nominate someone, visit www.scottishfa.co.uk/footballdevelopment/attractive-game/