LIMERICK CITY side Moyross United are in the running for the prestigious Aviva Club of the Year award next weekend. The club was one of eight that have been nominated for this year’s award, which recognises and rewards clubs across the country who have shown excellence in the development of their club this year.
This is the tenth year of the award and it recognises four separate areas of progression in clubs; Coach Education, Community, Participation, and Club Development. Moyross United received their nomination in the Best Community category alongside Baldoyle United from Dublin and with it secured a cheque of €1,500 for the club from their nomination.
Moyross United were recognised for “providing all year round football for over forty years for youths and adults in their local area”.
The other nominees are Callan United (Kilkenny) and Achill Rovers (Mayo) in Underage Participation. Greystones United (Wicklow) and Strand Celtic (Sligo) are nominated for Facilities and Development, while Clonmel Celtic (Tipperary) and Park Rangers AFC (Waterford) are shortlisted for Coach Education.
The eight clubs were at the Aviva Stadium recently to receive their awards ahead of the Ireland v England International Friendly. They will now challenge for the Aviva FAI Club of the Year award, which will be decided in Sligo next Friday, 17th July, as part of the FAI AGM weekend.
Each of the eight clubs will then have the opportunity to present directly to the judging panel, which is headed by Donal Conway, Chairman of the FAI Underage Committee and includes representatives from FAI Club Development, Dublin City Council and Aviva. The winning club will then be named Aviva Club of the Year for 2015 and receive a cheque for €5,000.
Mark Russell, Sponsorship Manager, Aviva, said; “The Aviva Club of the Year is an initiative that helps support the very roots of Irish football. It gives a helping hand to clubs all over the country who are doing great work in club development and recognises the key roles they are playing in their community. These eight clubs are the heart of their communities with everyone giving of their own time to make these clubs work. They are all extremely deserving nominees for the Aviva Club of the Year and it’s a great chance for them to secure €5,000 for their club.”
Chairman of the FAI Underage Committee, Donal Conway added; “The Aviva Club of the Year awards provide a great way to recognise the hard work being done by volunteers at clubs throughout Ireland in categories that are of great importance for the development of grassroots football. I want to congratulate each of the clubs for the exceptional work they are doing which fully deserves this recognition.”
Aviva Club of the Year Nominees
Clonmel Celtic (Coach Education)
Park Rangers (Coach Education)
Baldoyle United (Best Community)
Moyross United (Best Community)
Greystones United (Club Development)
Strand Celtic (Club Development)
Callan United (Participation)
Achill Rovers (Participation)
Previous Aviva FAI Club of the Year Winners
2013 / 2014 – Trim Celtic FC (Meath)
2012 / 2013 – Esker Celtic FC (Dublin)
2011 / 2012 – Midleton FC (Cork)
2010 / 2011 – Tramore FC (Waterford)
2009 / 2010 – Kingscourt Harps (Cavan)
2008 / 2009 – Dunboyne AFC (Meath)
2007 / 2008 – St. Joseph’s Boys AFC (Dublin)
2006 / 2007 – Manulla FC (Mayo)
2005 / 2006 – Mullingar Athletic FC (Westmeath)
