McDonald's and the Irish FA have announced the regional winners of this year's McDonald's Irish FA Grassroots Football Awards.
The annual McDonald's Irish FA Grassroots Football Awards, which celebrate 26 years in Northern Ireland this year, recognise the outstanding work and commitment of football clubs and volunteers who give up their time and make a lasting impact on young people and communities across Northern Ireland.
The national awards ceremony will take place in October at Belfast City Hall.
The regional awards event was hosted recently at The Clearer Twist National Stadium at Windsor Park, where Northern Ireland legend and Fun Football Ambassador Pat Jennings presented the winners with their trophies.
At the event, Pat Jennings said: "Grassroots football is built by people who turn up week after week, creating places where young people can enjoy the game, grow in confidence and feel part of a team.
"It has been a privilege to see the difference McDonald's Fun Football has made for children and families across Northern Ireland. These awards show exactly why the grassroots game matters so much.
"Every winner recognised has helped make football more welcoming, accessible and enjoyable in their community. They should be extremely proud of what they have achieved."
McDonald's Franchisee Paul Connan added: "At McDonald's, we are proud to support the people and clubs that bring communities together through football. Their time, care and enthusiasm gives young people opportunities that reach far beyond the pitch.
"These awards are a chance to thank the volunteers and clubs who make grassroots football thrive across Northern Ireland. Congratulations to all the winners.”
This year's regional winner titles were awarded in the following categories: 'Club of the Year', 'Football for All Award', 'Volunteer of the Year', 'Young Volunteer of the Year', 'Futsal Award', 'Best Use of Social Media', 'Wes Gregg Coach of the Year' and 'The People's Award for Outstanding Contribution to Grassroots Football'.
For the first time ever, the ‘Best Use of Social Media’ will have a national winner crowned this year.
The regional winners of the 'Club of the Year' are:
• Wellington Rec Youth
• Lurgan Celtic
• Cloughey
• Carryduff Colts
The regional winners of the 'Football for All’ Award are:
• Danny Gallagher (Sion Swifts Sonics)
• Claire Coney (Ards Rangers Inclusion)
• Albert Foundry Academy
• Jim McCracken (Antrim and Newtownabbey Disability)
The regional winners of the 'Volunteer of the Year' are:
• Danny McGarry (St Mary's YCFC)
• Gary Pitman (Abbey Villa)
• Heather McCart (Berlin Swifts & Swiftettes)
• Jodie Templeton (St James Swifts)
The regional winners of the 'Young Volunteer of the Year' are:
• Ethan Patterson (St Oliver Plunkett)
• Ollie Kavanagh (Claudy Futsal)
• Chloe Godfrey-Philips (Berlin Swifts & Swiftettes)
• Scarlet Rose Alfred (Scrabo Football Academy)
The regional winners of the 'Futsal Award' are:
• Sam McKinstry (Dundela Futsal)
• James McKay (Sparta Belfast)
• Jonathan Kennedy (Sparta Belfast)
• Josh Lowry (Sparta Belfast)
The regional winners of the 'Best Use of Social Media' are:
• Marty Lish (Belfast Ravens)
• Scott Long (Fivemiletown United)
• Ellie-Jay McMenamin (Strabane Athletic)
• Scott Gordon (Lurgan Town FC)
The regional winners of the 'Wes Gregg Coach of the Year' are:
• Matthew McNeill (Bushmills United Youths)
• Ricky McMullan (Bushmills United)
• Jessica Bell (Antrim Town)
• Nicky Geddis (Glentoran Boys)
The regional winners of the 'The People's Award for Outstanding Contribution to Grassroots Football' are:
• Tom McKenna (Crewe United Football Club & Academy)
• Shaun Marshall (Lurgan Celtic)
• Jonathan McClelland (Berlin Swifts & Swiftettes)
Photo caption:
L-R Paul Connan (McDonald's Franchisee), Scarlet Rose Alfred (Scrabo Football Academy), Pat Jennings, Tom McKenna (Crewe United) and Angela Platt (Director of Foundation, Irish FA)
