12MATCH WHISTLE-STOP TOUR

Legends launch Mcdonald’s and IFA Grassroots Awards 2018

FOOTBALL legends and local personalities including Pat Jennings, Martin Keown and David Healy assembled to help launch the Mcdonald’s Grassroots Football Awards 2018.

A two-day launch tour which worked its way from Lurgan, to Dungannon, to Derry/londonderry, to Newry, to Belfast and ending at the National Football Stadium took place amidst much excitement and participation last week.

Ambassadors, previous competition winners, players and coaches visited communities and football clubs across Northern Ireland to announce details of the 2018 programme which is seeking out the unsung heroes of grassroots football.

Football fans, club members and children turned out to meet ambassadors – Martin Keown, Pat Jennings, David Healy, Charlie Fogarty, Pete Snodden and Denise Watson on the two-day tour which visited clubs in Lurgan, Dungannon, Derry, Newry, Larne and Belfast.

The IFA and Mcdonald’s brought their ambassadors on the road to announce that nominations for the 2018 awards had opened and to encourage grassroots volunteers and football clubs to enter the awards and to celebrate the impact they have within their local communities.

This year’s awards will celebrate and honour Club Of The Year, Coach Of The Year, Mum Of The Year, Volunteer Of The Year, Young Yolunteer Of The Year and an Inclusivity Award.

Here is a quick round-up of each stop as we provide you with exclusive access to our launch tour: the work these mums do by nominating now.” appropriately. They help to build communities and maintain health for our children whilst putting a smile on the faces of many. Like all the other ambassadors, I urge you to get out and vote, in this case, for the Coach Of The Year.” local heroes. He said: “The Mcdonald’s Grassroots Football Awards are a fantastic way to recognise the thousands of unsung volunteers who support the grassroots game and what better way to highlight these awards than to bring the details to the communities that make such a significant contribution.

“Every year, I’m humbled by the unstinting dedication, passion and enthusiasm of our grassroots volunteers and I can’t think of a better way to celebrate their achievements. Everyone involved in grassroots football is eligible to be nominated, from coaches to club secretaries, so make sure you nominate a local hero.”

Nominations for the IFA & Mcdonald’s Grassroots Football Awards are now open. To nominate a grassroots football club or volunteer go to www.mcdonalds.co.uk/awards

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