Clubs honoured for grass-roots work

More than 20 football clubs from Edinburgh and the Lothians were recognised for their valuable contribution to grass-roots football at a special awards afternoon at Hibs’ Easter Road Stadium.

The number of recipients of Scottish FA Quality Mark Awards totalled 27, with a handful of clubs from the Borders also among those presented with certificates by Hibs chairman Rod Petrie and former Hibs player Michael Weir. Ex-Hearts player and former Hibs coach Donald Park, now the SFA’s Head of Coach Education, was also in attendance to support the event.

Youth football clubs and schools receive such an award after meeting standards in areas such as coach and player development, management, administration, welfare and planning. So far more than 300 clubs and schools have achieved accreditation over the three categories, and over 9,000 coaches have benefited from coach education and first aid training.

Community Award: Hutchison Vale, Linlithgow Rose, Loanhead Miners, Spartans, Whitburn.

Development Award: Bonnyrigg Rose, Edinburgh City, Edinburgh United, Hibernian Girls & Ladies, Lasswade Thistle, Musselburgh Youngstars, North Merchiston, Star ‘A’.

Standard Award: Chirnside, Cockenzie Star, Coldstream, Duns, Earlston, Edinburgh South, Fauldhouse, Hawick, Hunterfield, Lauderdale, Penicuik, Pencaitland, Salvesen, Tweedbank Thistle.