The McDonald’s Irish FA Grassroots Football Awards for 2022 have been launched with a call for nominations for grassroots heroes.
The annual McDonald’s Irish FA Grassroots Football Awards, which celebrate 22 years in Northern Ireland this year, 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.
In this year’s awards there are seven categories: Young Volunteer of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, Wes Gregg Coach of the Year, Club of the Year, the Futsal Award, the Football for All Award and the People’s Award.
Nominations for the McDonald’s Irish FA Grassroots Football Awards are now open and will close on 30 June. Regional award winners will be announced in August.
The awards ceremony is due to take place in the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park in September.
Launching the awards, Northern Ireland legend and McDonald’s Fun Football Ambassador Pat Jennings piled praise on the many volunteers who give up their time year-on-year to help deliver grassroots football across Northern Ireland.
He also encouraged people to vote for their favourite volunteers in this year’s McDonald’s Irish FA Grassroots Football Awards.
"Without grassroots football volunteers none of this could happen," he said. “Through the years I have witnessed first hand the significant impact that McDonald’s Fun Football and McDonald’s Small-Sided Games have had, and continue to have, on the lives of young people in Northern Ireland.
"I think it is really important that volunteers are recognised, and I look forward to meeting some of the nominees, finalists and winners at the awards later this year.”
Des Lamph, McDonald’s Franchisee, added: “McDonald’s has been a long-standing supporter of the Grassroots Football Awards in Northern Ireland, which are remarkably celebrating 22 years here.
“Our partnership with the Irish FA on the McDonald’s Fun Football programme is so important to us and highlights our commitment to fostering the development of football for all in Northern Ireland.
“We are extremely proud that, through the McDonald’s Fun Football programme, more than 75,000 children across Northern Ireland have benefitted from 250,000 hours of coaching, games and fun.”
For more information or to nominate your grassroots football hero visit http://www.irishfa.com/grassrootsfootballawards
