St. Florence Girls AFC has been named ’Grassroots Project of the Year’ in the McDonald’s FAW Grassroots Football Awards 2018.

St. Florence Girls were presented the award at the FAW and McDonald’s Grassroots Football Awards ceremony at Cardiff City Stadium prior to the Wales v Denmark game on Friday.

The award for St. Florence Girls was presented by Welsh female football coach Jayne Ludlow in front of a crowd containing McDonald’s franchisees and football legends, including Ian Rush, Jermaine Easter and Danny Gabbidon amongst others.

St. Florence Girls was set up in 2017 to give girls in the area the opportunity to play football; encouraging them to be active and to develop their skills. The dedication and commitment of all involved has meant that there are now three teams from the club entered in the Pembrokeshire Women and Girls league.

Next season, St Florence Girls hopes to develop further by entering an under-16s team into the league. Come rain or shine, those involved with the club ensure the pitches are marked, the goals are set up, the girls always have regular training sessions and that the quality of their experience is positive to ensure they continue to play the game they love.

Local McDonald’s Franchisee, Ron Mounsey, who is an avid supporter of grassroots football in the local area, said: “St. Florence Girls is a fantastic example of a grassroots club with a real community spirit and we’re so pleased to see them win this award. We hope that girls grassroots football continues to grow in the Tenby community, with more and more girls feeling inspired to get involved.”

There were seven other winners from across Wales in what was an inspiring evening for the grassroots game in Wales, including an Outstanding Achievement award for David Nickless, the man who helped cultivate the talents of Ian Rush, Gary Speed, Michael Owen and Wayne Hennessey and countless other household names.

“It’s always so humbling to find out all about the efforts of our community football champions in Wales,” said Neil Ward, Chief Executive of the FAW Trust. “There are more children and young people playing football than ever before and, for that, we must applaud the hundreds of grassroots heroes who are on sidelines, come rain or shine, every single week, giving up their free time.

“And in a year in which our Women’s national team excelled and almost made World Cup history, many of the winners have been rewarded for their efforts to grow the female game. It is brilliant to see the level of commitment to encouraging more girls into the game.”

Among other goals, the FAW Trust wants to see 50 per cent of children in Wales playing football once a week by 2024.

“It was so good to see two Pembrokeshire football clubs being honoured at the Cardiff City Stadium on Friday evening before the Wales versus Denmark game,” said MP Stephen Crabb.

“Wales may have not got the result on the pitch, but it was success for Fishguard Sports AFC who won Community Club of the Year and St Florence FC Girls AFC who won Grassroots Project of the Year.

“Clubs like these wouldn’t be able to exist without the hard work and dedication of their volunteers who give their time freely, week in week out to help the grassroots games.

“It was lovely to congratulate Owen Duggan and Matthew Lamb from Fishguard Sports AFC and Geraint Jones and Kelly Thomas from St Florence Girls AFC on getting their awards.

“Huge congratulations to both clubs, the FAW Trust and the FA Wales on a successful evening,” he added.