The nominations for the McDonald's Irish FA Grassroots Football Awards 2024 are now open.
The annual McDonald’s Irish FA Grassroots Football Awards recognise the incredible work and commitment of football clubs and volunteers who give up their time and make a long-lasting impact on young people and communities across Northern Ireland.
The official awards ceremony will take place in Belfast City Hall in October ahead of Northern Ireland’s UEFA Nations League fixtures against Belarus and Luxembourg.
In this year’s awards there are nine categories: Young Volunteer of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, Wes Gregg Coach of the Year, Amateur Club of the Year, Junior Club of the Year, the Futsal Award, the Football Restaurant of the Year, the Football for All Award and the People’s Award.
McDonald’s Irish FA Grassroots Football Awards 2024
Please note, all nominees are subject to safeguarding and Access NI checks. Failure to have up-to-date safeguarding training or Access NI means we can not progress with your nominee's application.
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 are now open and will close on 31 July 2024.
