EVERYON A WINNER

Nine awards handed out at Belfast C

THE annual Mcdonald’s Irish FA Grassroots Football Awards turned 18 this year and Northern Ireland’s grassroot heroes were again recognised at Belfast City Hall last Wednesday.

The first award of the night was for Football Restaurant of the Year with the 2019 winner named as Mcdonald’s Boucher Road and franchisee Paul Connan received the award on behalf of his team.

The Boucher Road restaurant has worked with a number of clubs in the local community including Willowbank FC, Blackstaff Juniors FC and CSP FC.

The restaurant also played a key role in supporting the recent Fun Football Festival at the National Stadium at Windsor Park.

Next up was the Football Mum of the Year award, with the worthy winner announced as Paula Byrne who volunteers at Co Armagh club Camlough FC, coaching the U12 girls team with excellence and great enthusiasm, “rain, hail or shine”. Paula’s contribution and talent has had a huge impact on participation and inclusivity in the Camlough area, with a notable increase in training numbers boding well for growth of the ladies game in the area.

The third award of the night honoured the Inclusive Project of the Year which recognises inclusivity, impact and a “football for all” ethos.

This special award was won by local mental health charity Tackling Awareness of Mental Health Issues (TAMHI) which was founded by Joe Donnelly, with the mission of making mental health a top priority for all sports in Northern Ireland.

TAMHI works with sports groups, schools and community groups, with a vision to ensure all sports groups in Northern Ireland have the structures and support mechanisms in place to support positive mental health.

The next award on the night recognised the Young Volunteer of the Year, with the 2019 winner announ who works across a n including coaching at FC.

Jordan has been at th three years, voluntee duties from admin w personally helping pla as vulnerable adults.

He even went to sig help communicate wit the club and is a regula in full-time employme age of 22.

Up next was a brand entitled the Special Re

The inaugural winn prize was Stuart Carso inspirational service to dealing with the untim son Carter in 2018.

Stuart, whose son C and player, has rema

SUCCESS STORY The winners with their awards at last Wednesday’s event in Belfast City Hall