To recap on the years occurrences Shropshire FA once again held a very successful awards evening at Shrewsbury Town FC to notice and congratulate winners of the work they had completed throughout the year. A number of the winners work on a voluntary basis and the work they complete quite often goes unnoticed.
Football Development Officer Andy Taylor completed a well prepared speech to give detailed descriptions of the work that each winner had completed throughout the year. With a brief recap of what the county had achieved in 12 months attention was quickly given to all the well deserved winners of the evening. Special speeches from David Ralphs (County FA Chairman) also concluded the evening.
A lot of hard work has been given throughout the season by all the winners and the short pieces of information given about each achiever certainly showed this. The awards were presented by David Ralphs on behalf of the County FA.
The winners of the evening were as follows:
Outstanding Contribution to Community Football Award: Ray Coles
Ray has spent 25 years developing football skills for both boys and girls across the county and this work hasn’t gone unrecognised by the schools and clubs that he works with. The setting up of a number of development centres for players to attend has certainly had a positive impact on the county. The work that Ray has completed in the past 12 months and beyond certainly makes him the deserved winner of this award.
The FA Charter Standard Community Club Award: SAHA FC
The set-up and development of SAHA FC over the past few years has been tremendous. The club now has 15 boys teams, a minor league team, 4 girls teams and 50+ volunteers helping out with the running of the club which allows them to cater for the 300+ children that they provide their services to all year round. This goes without mentioning the disability section that they have recently set-up. SAHA FC are definitely deserved winners of this award and hopefully their development will continue in the coming seasons.
The FA Charter Standard Development Club Award: Meole Brace Juniors
Throughout the last 12 months Meole Brace Juniors have achieved very highly, their U11’s won the Fair Play award, U13’s won the League Cup and runners up in the league, U14’s won the league and consolation cup. As a club they run 11 teams ranging from crèche to U16’s, all their coaches now have up to date qualifications and they have strong links with the local schools. The development that this club have produced this year certainly makes them deserved winners of Development Club Award.
The FA Charter Standard Club Award: Onny Juniors
Last season Onny Juniors were the biggest club of the South Shropshire Junior League, they have 14 coaches qualified with their level 1 coaching badge, 1 has already completed their level goalkeeping course and 2 are currently attending, 1 coach is also attending their level 2 coaching badge. The club have always been committed in attending county in-service training days supplying players that the county staff were able to use in their demonstrations. The club have recently set-up a new crèche team and they annually run the Steve Millman Tournament. As the other winners throughout the night Onny Juniors are deserved winners of the award they received.
The West Midlands Charter Standard League Award: Shropshire Junior Football League
This award was given to Shropshire Junior Football League for the continued services that they offer clubs and players within Shropshire.
Volunteer of the Year Award: Karen Goode (South Shropshire Junior League)
Karen is the league secretary of South Shropshire and helps to co-ordinate all south Shropshire Coach Education courses. With constant contact and communication with the development team the work Karen completes in her own time certainly aids the work that the team complete. Karen also co-ordinated the new 9v9 programme. The voluntary work that Karen completes often goes unnoticed and for the reasons given on the evening by Andy Taylor she is a deserved winner of the award.
Young Volunteer of the Year Award: Peter Wilson (South Shropshire)
Peter is an active member of the Shropshire FA referees academy and the voluntary hours he completes through his refereeing and coaching makes him a deserved winner of the award. He has completed his level 1 coaching badge and since then has worked continuously through the last 6 months with Shrewsbury Girls Centre of Excellence to lend a hand to the coaches there.
Coach of the Year Award: David Richards (Shawbury Juniors)
David currently coaches Shawbury Juniors U9’s and has been with this group of players since they were a crèche team. He is a very committed coach and gives 100% to his team whenever possible. He is also manager of Wem Town. A lot of people won’t notice the work David completes and because of this he is a deserved winner of this award.
Through winning the County’s awards a number of our winners also went on to win Regional awards. These awards show recognition to the work our winners have completed on a Regional basis. These awards are awarded throughout all the counties in the midlands. All our winners have done extremely well to achieve these awards.
The winners were presented with a framed certificate and a brief case.
Regional Winners:
Young Volunteer Winner: Peter Wilson
FA Charter Standard Club Winner: Onny Juniors
FA Regional Charter Standard League Winners: Shropshire Junior Youth Football League
Congratulations to all our winners has been given and we hope that their hard work and commitment will continue through the up and coming seasons.