Last chance for tipperary clubs in aviva club of the year
Tipperary’s soccer clubs are being urged to put themselves forward for this year’s Aviva Club of the Year awards. With a €17,000 prize fund on offer to clubs from across the country this is an excellent opportunity for teams to get a financial boost for the great work they may be doing around their club and community.
John Murphy, League Secretary for North Tipperary and District League, said; “This is the last few weeks for Tipperary clubs to put themselves forward for the Aviva Club of the Year. Clubs may not feel they are big enough to win it, but it’s important to stress that you don’t need to be big club to win this award, or to be shortlisted, you just need to be doing positive things at your club. To be shortlisted and receive €1,500 would be massive for any club in the area so I would urge all clubs to log on and put themselves forward before the 30th April. It’s free to enter and can be completed quickly online.”
The Aviva Club of the Year award is now in its tenth year and is open to any club across the country to enter free of charge. The awards have seen over €150,000 awarded to clubs country wide recognising their achievements both on and off the pitch. Clubs can enter in one or more of the four categories; Community, Coach Education, Club Development and Participation.
The top two in each of the four categories receive €1,500 and go forward to the final round at the FAI AGM in July when they will present to the judging panel. The overall winning club gets the €5,000 top prize as well as the prestigious Aviva Club of the Year trophy.
The judging panel is headed by Donal Conway, Chair of the FAI Underage Committees, and includes representatives from FAI Club Development, Dublin City Council and Aviva.
Irish International, Shane Long, said; “The Aviva Club of the Year is a huge award for any club that wins it. I know myself from playing with St. Michael’s in Tipperary that for a Junior club to get that sort of financial reward, even for being shortlisted, is a massive boost. A junior club can make that sort of money go a long way so I would urge every club that feels it may be doing something positive in any of the areas to submit themselves for the Club of the Year. It makes no difference if your club is big or small, if you’re doing positive things you’re in with a shot.”
Mark Russell, Aviva Group Sponsorship Manager, said; “This award is a great opportunity for any club in Ireland to win some funds for their club. It is not an elitist award. Our previous winners have shown that you don’t have to be the biggest or best club in terms of success in the area to win the award. Clubs simply have to show what they are doing to make a difference in any of the categories and they are in with a chance of making the final shortlist.”
Last year’s winners, Trim Celtic FC from Meath, were nominated through the Participation category for their excellent work in attracting and retaining a great mix of boys and girls to the club.
Entry to the Aviva Club of the Year is free and can be completed quickly online at www.aviva.ie/COTY.
Entries for this year’s Aviva Club of the Year close on the 30th April.
Previous Winners Aviva FAI Club of the Year
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)