Ashley Wilson of Milnthorpe and District Youth has been named as FA Regional Grassroots Coach of the Year for his excellent work with the club’s youth team.

The award is recognition of his major role in reforming the youth team.

Ashley accepted the position of Head of Football at Milnthorpe & District Youth FC from April 2007 and has brought energy and enthusiasm to the role. Ashley is well respected by the local football community and is genuinely interested in helping to provide a safe environment for young people to enjoy the sport.

In the summer of 2007 Ashley instigated football sessions for girls and this initiative resulted in the club being able to form an Under 12 girls squad. In addition Ashley helped to re-form an Under 16 girl’s squad. The Under 12 girls have played many matches in addition to regular training sessions. The Under 16 girls have attended regular training sessions are now ready to start playing matches.

Ashley arranges and chairs regular meetings of the club’s football managers during which raising standards, conduct, child protection and coach education are always discussed. In addition, Ashley is a committee member of Milnthorpe Community Football Association and up to the end of the 2007-2008 was the Club representative on the Kent Valley Junior Football League committee.

Ashley manages an Under 15 boys team (Kent Valley Junior Football League) but still finds the time to attend many matches involving teams in other age groups, in addition to being responsible for the club’s Sunday morning training sessions for children between the ages of 4 – 10 years.

In April 2008, Ashley became the Chairman of Milnthorpe & District Junior FC, a position for which he is aptly suited and he has formed a new committee.

The club now have 14 teams throughout the age groups playing in junior leagues which include girls teams at Under 12, Under 14 and Under 16 levels.

*In the picture Ashley (centre) received his award from Peter Ducksbury (left), Westmorland County FA Executive Officer and Adam Panter, the new Football Development Officer.

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