The Hibernian Community Foundation has been honoured as a national award winner at the Scottish FA Grassroots Awards 2018, presented by McDonalds and the Sunday Mail, for delivery of outstanding work in the community and the promotion of grassroots football for all.
The Foundation was named winner of the “Best Professional Club in the Community” category, and presented with the award by Scotland National Team Managers Alex McLeish and Shelley Kerr at this year’s showpiece ceremony held at Hampden Park.
The annual Scottish FA grassroots awards aim to recognise and reward people and clubs across the country that make a difference to grassroots football and their local communities.
The award is especially welcome to the Foundation as it celebrates it’s 10th year anniversary and builds upon the success at the 2018 Scottish FA Quality Mark Awards where Hibernian Community Foundation was accredited as a “Legacy” club, the highest accolade within the Club Development scheme.
Gary Hocknull, the Foundation’s Football Development Manager said “This award is in recognition for all the good work from everyone involved with the Community Foundation on a day to day basis. From the football club through to the board and our partners who support our delivery. Most importantly it’s for the community and the people that engage and participate in the programmes we deliver”.
Iain Gray, Chairperson of the Foundation recognised the contribution of Hibernian Football Club in the award saying “The Foundation is all about using the power of football and after ten years we really are beginning to see what that power really can achieve for the community.
“All credit to chief executive Charlie Bennett and his team and to Leeann Dempster at the football club, whose support for what we do is exemplary.”
Hibernian Community Foundation deliver football activities such as Hibee Tots, Mini Kickers, Football Centres, pathways for girls & boys and holiday programmes, as well as “non football” related projects such as Football Fans in Training, Alcohol Awareness, GoFitba and Healthy Hibee, contributing to the health and wellbeing of our local and surrounding communities.
For further information on some of our activities, please visit www.hiberniancommunityfoundation.org.uk
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.
