Grassroots champions from across Scotland were honoured at the 2018 Scottish FA Grassroots Awards, presented by McDonald’s and the Sunday Mail at Hampden Park last night.
In front of the likes of Shelley Kerr and Alex McLeish, the evening paid tribute to the tireless work of volunteers from all sectors of the grassroots game both on and off the pitch.
Robbie Anderson of Spartans was revealed as the winner with merit in the People’s Award category, with West Park’s Kirsty Cunningham and Peter Kingston of Riverside CFC also recognised by the prize.
The Best Volunteer in Adult Football prize went to George Allan of Morgan FP AFC, with Josephine Rodger claiming the award for Best Volunteer in Youth Football for her work with Milton AFC.
Blackburn United FC’s Nigel Thorpe was presented with the award for Best Volunteer in Girls’ and Women’s Football, with Ben Mitchell rounding out the individual awards by claiming the prize for Best Young Person.
Hibernian Community Foundation’s efforts were recognised with the award for Best Professional Club in the Community, whilst the prize for Best Community Football for All Project was presented to Queen’s Park FC for their Talking Recovery programme.
The award for Best Para-Football Project was presented to Broxburn United after the success of their Team United Sports initiative, with the night’s Special Recognition Award going to the Football Memories Project for their nationally-acclaimed programme.
Finally, Dundee West CFC took home the prize for Best Community Football Club, after a landmark year for the Taysiders.
The night also allowed those in attendance to remember the 2017 People’s Award winner Jane Lavery, who sadly passed away earlier this year.
Andy Gould, head of Football Development at the Scottish FA, paid tribute to the work of those nominated for a Grassroots Award, as well as the wider work of unsung heroes in communities nationwide.
“Year on year, myself and the rest of the awards panel are blown away by the stories behind our Grassroots Awards winners, and this year has been no exception,” he said
“Scottish football is founded upon the invaluable efforts of grassroots volunteers around the country, and it is a true privilege to be able to properly pay tribute with an occasion such as this.
“I would also like to thank McDonald’s and the Sunday Mail for their tremendous support of grassroots football across Scotland and I look forward to many more years of celebrating grassroots excellence.”
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
