Football ace Kenny Dalglish presents EK Thistle with award

Nov 25 2009 by Paul Thomson, East Kilbride News

LIVERPOOL and Celtic legend Kenny Dalglish was on hand last week to recognise East Kilbride Thistle’s contribution to grassroots football.

At a special awards evening at Hampden Park, the club was presented with the Scottish FA Quality Mark Award by the man voted Scotland’s greatest ever player, Kenny Dalglish.

The Quality Mark Accreditation Scheme recognises proactive clubs and schools working to increase youth and community participation.

There are three Quality Mark categories – Standard, Development and Community – and this is Jags’ first award.

Clubs and schools receive the award after meeting standards in areas such as coach and player development, management, administration, welfare and planning.

So far more than 100 clubs and schools have achieved accreditation over the three categories, and over 4000 coaches have benefited from coach education and first- aid training.

It’s a huge boost to the club, who intend to increase their popular Youth Development Programme with plans to plough £5 million into a new stadium development.

And Thistle’s Director of Football, Darren Waugh, warmly welcomed the award.

He said: "We are all delighted with the progress the club is making as a whole, and it’s great to be able have this new recognition for the boys' teams.

“The work of our coaches and volunteers can sometimes go unnoticed, as they just get on with providing the best possible coaching environment for our players, so this award, and our thanks, go to all who have made this happen.

“Such a high level of recognition for such a young club really helps us to focus on the work we are doing in the community of East Kilbride."

Scottish FA club development manager John Brown, was at the award ceremony, said: "We are delighted to have been able to recognise EK Thistle FC for their fantastic contribution to football in their local community.

“The club has strong foundations, with a solid boys’ section and also a thriving girls’ set up. The exciting thing is that they are part of the same set up as EK Thistle Juniors, and the club has a growing pathway from children's football through to the adult game.

“The club also has exciting facility development plans that could benefit the whole community.

“I would like to offer my personal thanks to Peter Henry and Darren Waugh, without whom the club would never reached the standards required to receive this Quality Mark award."