On the 29th of September, The Club & Community of Treharris was named the national winner of the prestigious Best Grassroots Story award at the 2023 FAW & McDonald’s Grassroots Football Awards ceremony, held at the – Park Gate Hotel Cardiff.
The FAW & McDonald’s Grassroots Football Awards recognise and celebrate the incredible volunteers who dedicate countless hours to inspire those in the grassroots football community. The awards are now in their eleventh year and the team at The Club & Community of Treharris joins a long list of inspirational grassroots football heroes who have been recognised by the programme.
The Club & Community of Treharris, in South Wales, wins the “Best Grassroots Story Award” for their remarkable journey. Three years ago, dedicated volunteers undertook the mammoth task of reviving a neglected football ground due to a lack of facilities. Thanks to the community, local businesses, and grant providers, including the FAW, this space is now a modern, fully operational facility, the heart of Treharris kids’ football.
The impact has been astounding, with membership surging from 140 to nearly 250, even welcoming three new girls’ teams. This transformation represents not just a challenging few years, but an enduring legacy for the club and the community. The Club & Community of Treharris’s success story is a testament to their commitment, turning an abandoned site into a cherished home for generations of young footballers.
Volunteers from the club accepted their award from Danny Gabbidon at the Park Gate Hotel Cardiff.
“Grassroots football and the many volunteers are the life blood of our nations game. I’m so proud to be here in Cardiff to honour these incredible winners. Volunteers like those The Club & Community of Treharris 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 to the hours of dedication volunteers put in to make football what it is.” said McDonald’s Fun Football ambassador Danny Gabbidon
Local McDonald’s Franchisee David Balcombe is an avid supporter of grassroots football in the Treharris area, he added: “We are immensely proud to have a Grassroots Football Award winner from Treharris. The volunteers have shown amazing dedication to keeping the spirit of grassroots football alive and thoroughly deserves this award. It’s great to see all of the winners celebrated at the national ceremony – they are truly 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 19 years. In addition to championing local grassroots heroes. Over the past year, 250,000 children enjoyed free football thanks to McDonald’s, and will continue to grow year on year.
