Last year Demi McMaster from Crusaders Youth Academy was awarded the prestigious Female Coach of the Year Award. The Female Coach of the Year Award celebrates the drive and determination Northern Ireland female football coaches demonstrate whatever the weather to build and grow the ladies game.
Demi received the award in recognition of the inspirational work she does to deliver boys and girls football coaching sessions at the Crusaders Youth Academy. Even though Demi is currently studying for her A-Levels she finds time to coach football to boys and girls four days a week. Demi has been coaching at a grassroots level for a number of years and has both her Level One & disability coaching awards. Coaches and teammates at Crusaders Youth Academy all commented on Demi’s dedication to provide fun and engaging coaching sessions for the hundreds of children who attend training sessions at the club.
Commenting on her award, Demi commented;
“Rain or shine I love providing football coaching to the young people who make up Crusaders Youth Academy. For me it’s about providing youngsters with a fun, safe and engaging football environment. I have loved working with the kids to improve their footballing skills but also providing them with the foundation stones to get on in life.”
There are thousands of female volunteers across Northern Ireland who, like Demi, give up their time week in, week out to provide a fun, safe and quality football experience for young players. That’s why this year McDonald’s and the Irish FA are launching the Female Volunteer of the Year Award to show our support to the hardworking ladies who do so much for the grassroots game.
The McDonald’s Irish FA Community Awards are spearheaded by goalkeeping legend and McDonald’s Head of Northern Ireland Football, Pat Jennings,
“People like Demi provide an invaluable service to their local community and we’re calling on everyone involved with the game at grassroots level in Northern Ireland to single out a club, coach or volunteer for special praise and nominate them for an award today.
“Nominations can be made via www.McDonalds.co.uk/Awards and www.IrishFA.com/CommunityAwards and I’d like to encourage you to consider everyone in your club who might be eligible for an award and make your nomination today. Log on and fill out a nomination form for a volunteer, coach or club that goes the extra mile for football in your community.”
To find out how your club can redeem their free kit as part of the McDonald’s Accredited Club Kit Scheme visit www.mcdonalds.co.uk/kitscheme.
Demi McMaster - Female Coach of the year 2014, with Pat Jennings.