Football legends and well-known personalities joined the McDonald’s Grassroots Football Awards launch, as it visited communities and football clubs across Northern Ireland to announce details of the 2018 programme which is seeking out the unsung heroes of grassroots football.
Football fans, club members and children turned out to meet ambassadors; Martin Keown, Pat Jennings, David Healy, Charlie Fogarty, Pete Snodden and Denise Watson on the two-day tour which visited clubs in Lurgan, Dungannon, Derry, Newry, Larne and Belfast.
The IFA and McDonald’s brought their Ambassadors on the road to announce that nominations for the 2018 Awards were open and to encourage grassroots volunteers and football clubs to enter the Awards and to celebrate the impact they have within their local communities.
This year’s awards will celebrate and honour club of the year, coach of the year, mum of the year, volunteer of the year, young volunteer of the year and inclusivity Award.
As the longest standing supporter of grassroots football in the UK, McDonald’s continues to champion those selfless volunteers who enable children and young adults to play and enjoy grassroots football in a safe, friendly and welcoming environment regardless of age, gender or disability.
Every year the awards receive thousands of nominations and are backed by leading football legends Ryan Giggs, Casey Stoney, Sir Geoff Hurst, Martin Keown, Kenny Dalglish and Pat Jennings.
Pat Jennings, McDonald’s Ambassador is leading the call for nominations in Northern Ireland, urging communities to honour those local heroes: “The McDonald’s Grassroots Football Awards are a fantastic way to recognise the thousands of unsung volunteers who support the grassroots game and what better way to highlight these Awards, than to bring the details to the communities that make such a significant contribution.
"Every year, I’m humbled by the unstinting dedication, passion and enthusiasm of our grassroots volunteers and I can’t think of a better way to celebrate their achievements. Everyone involved in grassroots football is eligible to be nominated, from coaches to club secretaries, so make sure you nominate a local hero!”
Nominations for the IFA & McDonald’s Grassroots Football Awards are now open. To nominate a grassroots football club or volunteer please click here.
