Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
MAGNIFICENT SEVEN
Partnership initiative which recognises the best of grassroots heroes is back
THE Mcdonald’s IFA Regional Community Awards partnership has reached a seven-year milestone and once again goalkeeping legend Pat Jennings has voiced his support for the event.
The Mcdonald’s Head of Northern Ireland Football has visited grassroots football clubs across Northern Ireland to present Mcdonald’s Irish FA Regional Community Awards to local grassroots footballing heroes, for the great work they do in championing football and supporting their local community clubs.
Over the course of two days the former Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal player presented awards to eight worthy winners (pictured) from football clubs across Northern Ireland.
The awards celebrate Regional Coach, Volunteer and Accredited Club of the Year. Each of the regional winners demonstrated an outstanding commitment to delivering grassroots football in their local communities.
Those presented with Regional Community Awards will now attend Mcdonald’s Irish FA National Community Awards taking place in November at the Guildhall in Derry, where they will join other nominees for the opportunity to win a national award. Speaking about the Regional Community Award winners, Pat said: “It’s such a privilege each year to travel across Northern Ireland to present Regional Community Awards to hardworking, committed and passionate local grassroots heroes who do so much for local communities.
“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 to shine.
“Whether it was visiting Derry, Belfast or Ballymena it was clear to see the amazing commitment and effort these individuals and clubs make to communities. I look forward to catching up with all the Regional Community Award winners at the Guildhall event in November.”
Chris Colhoun (pictured alongside Pat), who collected the Regional Coach of the Year Award for his sterling work at Mountjoy FC, said: “I feel privileged today to be presented with my award from Pat. Mountjoy FC works tirelessly to provide a fun and inclusive environment for young people to play football.
“I have loved the opportunity to develop my coaching skills for the benefit of the local community.
“I look forward to meeting Pat again in November at the Mcdonald’s Irish FA National Community Awards and hopefully I might have a chance of picking up the National Award too!”
The awards programme, now in its seventh year, honours grassroots clubs and the volunteers who give up countless hours to ensure that football takes place every week throughout Northern Ireland.
The awards have six categories including The Respect Award, Volunteer of the Year, Coach of the Year and the coveted The People’s Award ( for lifetime achievement in football) which celebrates an individual’s outstanding contribution to grassroots football.