Awards galore for football folk who have made their marks

Many young footballers and coaches in Edinburgh and the Lothians have remained idle due to the postponement of training and matches caused by the bad weather in recent weeks, but their continuing commitment and endeavour towards the betterment of the grassroots game did not go unnoticed last weekend at the annual Scottish FA South East Region Quality Mark Awards.

Easter Road Stadium provided the backdrop for an awards ceremony that honoured clubs, coaches and committee members for their contributions to help increase youth and community participation and to enhance the development of volunteer, player and coach education.

A total of 34 clubs were recognised for their efforts, with 22 gaining the Standard Award and six each being bestowed with Community and Development Awards. Each level of award is represented by alternative criteria where clubs are required to meet specific development points before they can be rewarded as an accredited club of the Scottish FA's Quality Mark initiative. Such criteria can range from the amount of teams participating within each club to supporting links with local clubs and schools.

Former Ayr United and Norwich City player Jim Fleeting, who is Director of Youth Football at the Scottish FA, was quick to praise the contribution of the provisions and financial support offered to youth football by local authorities and companies.

He said: "Without this sponsorship we wouldn't be here. We require this revenue to progress at this level and I can't thank the organisations enough for the contributions they have made. McDonald's in particular have been exceptional and we have now agreed a 12-year sponsorship with them so it's all looking prosperous for the future of youth football. I truly believe the good days are ahead of us with a solid structure now in place."

Fleeting co-presented the awards alongside Hibs legend Gordon Hunter.

Founded in 1997, Currie Star FC were one of six clubs awarded the Community Club Award for its continuous development both on and off the field of play. With more than 200 players registered with the club, chairman Colin Ritchie expressed his elation at the progress the club has made and suggested its new partnership with Heriot-Watt University provides an indication of the ambition of those at Currie Star.

Mr Ritchie said: "Heriot-Watt contacted us to ask about our older players aged 16 and 17 as they were struggling with players stepping up to Under 19 and Under 21 level. We therefore came to an agreement and set up the Heriot-Watt Community Football Club where boys and girls at Currie Star can move to Heriot-Watt and have the opportunity to play at a higher stage including the East of Scotland League. But we also have aspirations of our own to develop sides for an age range which will include adults so we remain very hopeful we can achieve this."

This level of ambition is replicated by former Polish professional footballer Lukasz Rusin who moved to Edinburgh in 2005. Sadly, injury brought his career to a premature end, but the former winger has dedicated his time to youth football development since arriving on these shores. Assisted by his brother Wojciech, the pair founded Edinburgh Red Lions FC in February last year. With 90 registered players and the club's first youth team due to enter league competition in March, the achievement of a Scottish FA Quality Mark Standard Award would appear to signal the dawn of an exciting era.

Mr Rusin said: "We have ambitions to set up professional football schools but would also like to advance into other sports. At the moment, we are still a relatively new association but this is what we would like to achieve. At the moment though, we are keen to reduce the levels of crime and provide alternative leisure opportunities for youngsters in Edinburgh. It's all about remaining physically active."

With several clubs from Edinburgh, the Lothians, and the surrounding South East region achieving high recognition for grassroots development, local youth football appears to be in safe hands.

List of 2010 Accredited Clubs & Awards

Standard Award: AC Oxgangs, Ancrum AFC, BFC Linlithgow FC, Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic, Craigroyston FC, Cramond FC, Dunedin FC, Edinburgh Red Lions FC, Eyemouth FC, Gala Fairydean FC, Joppa United FC, Kelso FC, Leithen Vale SC, Redhall Star FC, Seton BC, Musselburgh Windsor FC, Musselburgh Youngstars FC, North Berwick Colts FC, Peebles FC, Pumpherston United FC, Selkirk FC, Whitehill Welfare FC.

Development Award: Arniston Rangers, Bathgate Rose, Beeslack Thistle, Edina Hibs, Heart of Midlothian Girls & Women FC, Livingston Hearts.

Community Award:, Blackburn United, Boroughmuir Thistle, Broxburn Athletic Colts, Currie Star, Dunbar United Colts, Leith Athletic.

Community Football Club of the Year Award: Murieston United Community Football Club,

Coach of the Year Award: Billy McAdam - BFC Linlithgow Football Club

Special Merit Award for Contributions to Youth Football: Allan Archibald - SERYFA/ Lothian Buses League Secretary