The McDonald's Irish FA Grassroots Football Awards 2023 will celebrate those who contribute hours of their time for the good of football in Northern Ireland.
The awards recognise the incredible work and commitment of football clubs and volunteers within grassroots football, who give up their time to enable the local game to flourish and grow.
The 2023 McDonald’s Irish FA Grassroots Football Awards application window has now opened and will close on 31 July 2023.
In pictures - 2021 awards
McDonald’s Irish FA Grassroots Football Awards 2023
Categories & Entry Criteria
- Young Volunteer of the Year: This award recognises the contribution young people make in the community within grassroots football. The category is open to young people from 14 to 24 years of age that make a significant impact in helping to support and develop opportunities for people to participate in the local game.
- Volunteer of the Year: This award recognises the countless hours that dedicated volunteers across Northern Ireland give to help their local club and game. Nominations will be accepted for anyone whose involvement in football has helped to develop others and the grassroots game.
- Wes Gregg Coach of the Year: This award recognises the outstanding contribution of a qualified coach (NCC/ Level 1 certificate and higher) at a grassroots club or Fun Football provider. Someone who encourages people starting, staying and/or succeeding in football through high quality coaching and who adapt their approach to find new ways to keep their players engaged.
- Futsal Award: The Futsal Award looks to recognise an individual or club who have championed the introduction of Futsal in their community.
- Football For All Award: This award celebrates an individual or club who has put inclusivity at the heart of the ethos of their club and has excelled in promoting Football for All. The winner of this award may have started a new girls’ and women’s team, developed a disability programme or used football as a power for good in their community through the introduction of mental health or cross community programmes.
- Amateur Club of the Year: Football is built on the grassroots, which are kept alive by thousands of volunteers and clubs across Northern Ireland. The Amateur Club of the Year award is designed to recognize, celebrate and promote this inspirational work by clubs who provide high quality opportunities for all, children and adults in the game.
- Junior Club of the Year: With this award, we recognise the Junior Clubs who can demonstrate an inclusive, fun and developmental approach to small-sided games football. Clubs should be able to showcase creating a positive football culture and environment for children., established school, community and social partnerships and demonstrate Irish FA good practices and governance.
- The People's Award: The People’s Award recognises the outstanding contribution that an individual has made to football in their local community and beyond.
Deadline for entries will be noon on 31 July 2023.