Academy volunteer Dennis McLellan was presented with the Local Service to Sport Award at the recent joint South Ayrshire Sports Council and Scottish Association of Local Sports Councils (SALSC) Awards Ceremony held in the Council Buildings in Wellington Square. Dennis, pictured above with David Laing, chair of SALSC, was delighted to have his services to sport recognised in the form of this prestigious award.
A SALSC spokesman said:
“One of the core values of SALSC is to ensure that the contribution of volunteers in sport is recognised. This doesn’t just apply to the coaches and athletes but also to all the people behind the scenes that make success in sport, however you choose to determine success, possible”.
Davie White, the Academy’s Head of Youth Development said:
“Dennis was involved in youth club football with Prestayr and Ayr Boswell Football Clubs for around 15 years until 2006 when he became Registration Secretary for AUFA. This job involves him in administering the details of over 120 young players and registering them with the SFA. However, his role does not end there as he willingly takes responsibility for organising important matches which includes arranging ball boys, stewards, money collection and a hundred other things that go to making the match special.
Dennis is also the first person that the Football Academy turns to help organise any other events as we know that he is dependable and has a wealth of experience. He has for many years been a very important member of the “backroom staff” for the Academy.
The importance of the role carried out by Dennis is often overlooked but without him the Academy would not be able to function properly and it is only right that Dennis has been recognized for his efforts and contribution.”
Dennis will now go forward to the National finals which are to be held in March 2013 in Cumbernauld. There will be around 40 Local Sports Councils in total so he will be competing against the winners of those. The Academy Board wish him luck and thank him for his continuing contribution.
Dennis said:
“I am delighted to receive the Award and trophy. I enjoy every minute of the time which I give to local sports and especially to the Academy. We have built an excellent platform for local young players to use to help them achieve their ambition of playing at the top levels of football. It is particularly pleasing to see the current crop of young Academy players making first team appearances. I am happy that have I been able to help.”
