Aberdeen FC Community Trust, has been honoured as a national award winner for the 2015 Scottish FA Grassroots Awards, presented by McDonald's, thanks to their outstanding commitment to offering football to the local community.
Having already been recognised at a regional level for their support of grassroots football in Aberdeenshire, Aberdeen FC Community Trust was named national winner of the Best Professional Club in the Community and was presented with the award by Alex McLeish and Mark McGhee, at the 2015 national ceremony held at Hampden Park on September 17.
The national awards, which are now in their twelfth year, recognise and celebrate grassroots volunteers and clubs across Scotland who dedicate their time to local grassroots football.
Since 2013, Aberdeen FC Community Trust has gone from strength to strength. In partnership with Aberdeen City Council, the Trust supports Primary Schools Football across Aberdeen. Since starting they have increased the quantity and quality of footballing opportunities with over 700 children taking part in weekly sessions.
The Trust has also turned its attention to working in socially deprived areas, supporting those with additional needs. The Aberdeen FC Community Trust supports coaching sessions in the Tillydrone area, giving 80 local children access to football in a fun and safe environment. They also run sessions and festivals with children who have learning disabilities at their participation centre, which has progressed to form 'Grampian Strikers' who represent Aberdeen FC in the Scottish FA National League.
Their Community Club Project, supported by McDonald's, The Scottish FA and Aberdeen City Council, sees the trust develop a programme specifically for clubs, helping to develop a club philosophy and curriculum to raise the quality of coaching through increased participation at courses and a mentoring service the Trust provides.
Once successful in passing, any coach can join the Trust's Coach Development Group which provides opportunities such as a question and answer session with Craig Brown, a video analysis session with Aberdeen FC Assistant Manager Tony Docherty and the opportunity to shadow a Youth Academy Coach.
Aberdeen FC Community Trust is changing lives for the better and strives to provide support and opportunity to everyone they can across North East Communities.
In response to winning this prestigious award, AFC Community Trust Chief Executive Ally Prockter stated: "Winning this community award is fantastic recognition for everyone involved directly and indirectly with Aberdeen FC Community Trust. Since being established as Aberdeen FC's partner charity just over a year ago everyone at the Trust and the club has worked tirelessly to make AFCCT as good as it possibly can be, in order to positively support our local communities.
"On behalf of my outstanding team I would like to sincerely thank every single individual and organisation that has helped AFCCT to achieve this accolade. My special thanks goes to everyone who works at Aberdeen Football Club, whose 100% support has contributed to this success. This award reflects a massive team effort, and everyone involved should be proud of their efforts."
Hundreds of nominations were received from all over the nation this year, with nominees first recognised at a regional level before going on to be shortlisted for the national awards.
McDonald's Ambassador Alex McLeish, said: "Aberdeen FC Community Trust is clearly working very hard to ensure their community has the best possible footballing opportunities they can. Grassroots football is such an essential part of the game and without all of hard work of the volunteers and coaches up and down the country like Aberdeen FC Community Trust, we simply wouldn't have the sport as we know it. The club sums up the spirit of grassroots football and it was a pleasure to present them with the award."
Local McDonald's Franchisee, Geoff Cooper, whose restaurants support grassroots football in Aberdeenshire, added: "Aberdeen FC Community Trust's efforts are a fantastic example of the work and dedication that goes into preserving and building grassroots clubs across Scotland. Huge amounts of effort and commitment are put in by volunteers every week in Aberdeen and I'm constantly amazed at just how much of their time they dedicate to keeping the local scene alive. It's truly fantastic and I'd like to take this opportunity to personally congratulate Aberdeen FC Community Trust and the other winners of this year's awards."
The McDonald's and Scottish FA awards are part of McDonald's ongoing Community Partnership with the Scottish FA. To find out more about McDonald's partnership with The Scottish FA visit www.mcdonalds.co.uk/betterplay or on Twitter @BetterPlayUK.