Final call for 2018 Grassroots Football nominations

IFA and McDonald’s ambassadors, Pat Jennings and Martin Keown are calling for people involved in Grassroots football to nominate the unsung heroes of the game across Northern Ireland with the deadline for the 2018 Grassroots Football Awards looming.

The IFA and McDonald’s 2018 Grassroots Awards nominations officially close on Monday the 20^th of August.

The awards which were launched via a whistle-stop tour of six grassroots clubs across Northern Ireland provide an opportunity to honour the unsung heroes of community football in six different categories.

The IFA and McDonald’s brought Ambassadors including Pat Jennings and Martin Keown went on the road to promote nominations 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 across the UK.

Pat Jennings, Northern Ireland’s most capped player and head of McDonald’s Football in Northern Ireland is leading the final push 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. With nominations closing on Monday the 20^th of August, I urge anyone involved in Grassroots football to get involved and nominate a worthy person who works hard at your local club.”

Nominations for the IFA & McDonald’s Grassroots Football Awards are open until Monday 20^th Aug. To nominate a grassroots football club or volunteer please click here.