ON FRIDAY 20th September, Coity Chiefs Girls Football Club were named the national winners of the prestigious Community Club of the Year Award at the 2024 FAW & McDonald’s Grassroots Football Awards ceremony, held at the Cardiff St. David’s Hotel.
The FAW & McDonald’s Grassroots Football Awards recognise and celebrate the tireless work of grassroots football heroes who make football possible by consistently supporting their communities by going above and beyond. The awards are now in their twentieth year and the team at the Coity Chiefs Girls Football Club join a long list of inspirational grassroots football heroes who have been recognised by the programme.
Coity Chiefs Girls Football Club (CCGFC) in Bridgend is making significant strides in expanding football opportunities for girls in the area. With overwhelming commitment from volunteers, including coaches, first aiders, and parents, the club has created an incredibly supportive community environment that has allowed girls football to thrive.
This season alone they have welcomed 42 new players, trained new female coaches, and emphasized family values within the club. Coity Chiefs provides a safe space for girls to thrive in football while promoting self-confidence, healthy attitudes, and friendship.
Despite starting from scratch three years ago, without a clubhouse or significant investment, the club continues to grow, attracting girls from across the county. Their dedication hasn’t gone unnoticed, with coaches and volunteers engaging in leadership and coaching training.
Volunteers from Coity Chiefs F.C. collected their award from Welsh football legend and McDonald’s Fun Football Ambassador Helen Ward who commented. “My career would not have been possible without volunteers like those at Coity Chiefs F.C who dedicate their time and effort to nurturing and expanding grassroots football within their community. The volunteers at Coity Chiefs F.C truly embody the lifeblood of the grassroots game. I’m so proud to be here in Cardiff to honour these incredible winners. Coity Chiefs F.C truly are a testament to their community and an inspiration to those looking to get involved in the grassroots game. The FAW & McDonald’s Grassroots Football Awards are a special occasion and a chance to show how grateful we are for the hours of dedication volunteers put into make our game possible.”
Bridgend McDonald’s Franchisee Ralph Parker who is an avid supporter of grassroots football in South Wales added: “The Volunteers at Coity Chiefs F.C are a shining example of what it means to go the extra mile to make a difference in your community. Their work within South Wales is truly commendable and has made a huge impact. It’s clear to see Coity Chiefs F.C has a very bright future ahead of them and I am sure they will continue to support the local community in South Wales for years to come. It’s always an honour to be involved with the Grassroots Awards and to celebrate the volunteers like the team at Coity Chiefs F.C who really are the heart and soul of the grassroots game.”
McDonald’s is the longest-standing supporter of grassroots football in the UK, having celebrated Grassroots Heroes at the Grassroots Football Awards for 22 years. In addition to championing local grassroots heroes, McDonald’s Fun Football has provided over 500,000 children aged 5-11 with free football coaching since 2022. The programme is committed to providing 1 million children with access to free football coaching by 2026.
For further information on McDonald’s involvement in grassroots football and to find out how your club could benefit visit www.mcdonalds.co.uk/football
