win FA National award
Some of the best grassroots clubs, leagues, coaches and volunteers from around the country were at the home of football, Wembley Stadium, to pick up their 2010 FA Community Awards presented by McDonald’s.
Hosted by BBC Sport’s Jake Humphrey, the inaugural awards took place before The FA Community Shield between Chelsea and Manchester United, with McDonald’s Football Ambassadors such as Sir Geoff Hurst, Ian Rush, Kenny Dalglish and Pat Jennings joining Sir Trevor Brooking in The FA Club to meet this year’s outstanding award winners.
Surrey County FA was very proud to have a national winner with Curley Park Rangers FC winning the Charter Standard Community Club category. Curley Park Rangers have been in the heart of the local community for the last 36 years, welcoming players of all ages and ability to train and enjoy football. The club currently has over 550 members, both boys and girls, aged five years up with currently 38 registered teams playing every weekend.
Paul Blair Club secretary at Curley Park said “It was a great honour for me to collect this award on behalf of the Curley Park Rangers. A lot of the success over the years at the club could not have been achieved without all the volunteers. A Club of our size requires large numbers of dedicated people and this is entirely carried out by volunteers for no remuneration. From the Coaches and Managers to the Committee and not least the parents, who all give up their spare time willingly to help provide and support football within the local community.
I would also just like to take this opportunity to thank the local community who have helped us by allowing us the use of their pitches as without their support, we would find it extremely difficult to provide the sporting facilities for our 550+ members who play football every weekend during the playing season. Finally, I would just like to thank the Surrey FA as without their help none of this would have been achievable.”
Steven Edwards Football Development Officer said, “This is such a great achievement for Curley Park Rangers FC; there are over 460 FA Charter Standard Community clubs nationally and Curley Park Rangers FC have managed to win the pinnacle prize. None of this could have happened without the many volunteers at the club, who are all part of this award.”
The club work very closely with the Surrey County FA to support football development initiatives, and are actively looking to develop more football for girls in the area as well as helping a Disability Charity by providing football taster sessions. They are inclusive, well run and act as an inspiration to their members.