McDonald’s and the IFA Launch Community Awards

The McDonald’s Irish FA Community Awards 2011 will take place on Tuesday 22^nd November at Belfast City Hall.xa0 Nominations are now open so if you know a coach, club or volunteer that deserves recognition for their contribution to the beautiful game at grassroots level and to the local community please fill in the nomination form at www.irishfa.com/communityawards. The McDonald’s Irish FA Community Awards 2011 comprises eight categories and nominations close at midnight on 8^th November: * Outstanding Contribution [caption id="attachment_30472" align="alignright" width="279" caption="NI star Niall McGinn is calling for nominations for the McDonald'x80x99s Irish FA Community Awards 20"][/caption] * Volunteer of the Year * Young Volunteer of the Year * Coachxa0 of the Year * Accredited Club of the Year * Female Coach of the Year * Disability Football Coach of the Year * Community Relations Award The new initiative is being supported by Pat Jennings through his position as McDonald’s Head of Northern Ireland Football. He said, “Grassroots football is the lifeblood of the game and I’m delighted that through the new Community Awards initiative between McDonald’s and the Irish FA we will be able to pay tribute to those people who do so much for the game we all love. “Football is all about passion and while many people focus upon the professional game I believe that grassroots football requires even more passion.xa0 Local clubs rely upon local people giving up their free time to make sure the club runs smoothly on and off the pitch; while coaches, volunteers and parents brave all sorts of weather to make sure children enjoy learning and playing the game in a safe environment.xa0 Kit men and women, ground staff, referees and medical teams also all make really important contributions to the game so I’d like to encourage everyone to nominate their unsung heroes of grassroots football.” Jim Shaw, President of the Irish FA added, “The Irish FA is delighted to be involved with McDonald’s in the launch of the first ever awards programme for grassroots football in Northern Ireland.xa0 McDonald’s has been a long term partner of the Irish FA and they have been fantastic in their support of our youth programmes.xa0 The Association invests heavily in grassroots football throughout Northern Ireland and our 5 star charter mark from UEFA demonstrates the high standard of our coaching programmes. “I look forward to the gala dinner on 22 November and to meeting all the award entries from across the provincThe Community Awards form part of a new four year Community Partnership between the Irish FA and McDonald’s. “This builds upon the success delivered through the partnership since 2002 and the new programme is designed to enhance the structure of the game and deliver a lasting legacy of benefits for grassroots football throughout Northern Ireland.”]]>