Volunteer celebrates a ​win ​at ​the McDonald's Irish FA Grassroots Football Awards

Jessica ​Bell, a local grassroots football ​volunteer ​from Antrim Town Women ​and Girls ​FC, has ​been crowned as ​the 2026 Wes Gregg ​Coach of ​the Year ​at ​the ​McDonald's Irish FA ​Grassroots ​Football ​Awards ceremony.

The awards have ​run ​for ​over 20 years in ​Northern Ireland and ​recognise ​the unbelievable work and commitment ​of football clubs ​and ​volunteers who ​give ​up ​their time ​and make a long-lasting ​impact on young ​people ​and ​communities across ​Northern ​Ireland.

In ​memory of esteemed ​colleague Wes ​Gregg, the ​Wes Gregg ​Coach of ​the Year award recognises the contribution of qualified coaches at a ​grassroots club or ​Fun Football ​provider. Someone ​who ​encourages ​people starting, ​staying ​and ​succeeding in ​football through ​high-quality ​coaching ​and who ​adapts their ​approach to ​find ​new ways ​to keep ​their ​players engaged.

Jessica is ​lead coach of Antrim Town Women ​and Girls ​FC's 2017 ​girls' team, ​supporting ​two ​teams ​across ​the ​Small-Sided ​Games Centre and South ​Belfast ​Youth League. ​She ​is ​passionate ​about helping young girls build their skills, ​confidence and enjoyment ​of football.

Speaking about her recognition, ​Jessica ​said: ​"Being recognised ​as a ​national ​award ​winner means so much to me, ​as it ​shows ​that ​all the hard ​work, time ​and ​dedication ​I ​put into coaching ​is ​being ​recognised and appreciated.

"It ​has ​given ​me a ​huge ​boost ​in confidence and motivates me to continue developing ​as a coach, supporting ​other coaches and ​helping the girls ​reach ​their full ​potential. It ​means ​a lot to know that ​the effort ​I ​put into ​the ​club ​is making ​a positive ​difference."

Former ​Northern Ireland ​captain and record ​appearance ​holder ​Steven ​Davis, Rachel Furness, record goal ​scorer ​for Northern Ireland and ​goalkeeping hero ​Pat ​Jennings ​- who ​is ​a longstanding McDonald's ​Fun Football Ambassador ​- were ​among the star-studded line-up of guests at ​the event.

Delivering a ​message ​to ​the winners ​and finalists ​at ​the awards ceremony, Steven ​Davis hailed the ​impact that ​the ​grassroots ​game ​in ​Northern Ireland ​had on ​him.

"The important work ​being ​carried out ​by ​McDonald's ​and the ​Irish FA ensures that ​the ​game ​continues to ​thrive ​at every ​level, and that ​all young ​people in ​Northern ​Ireland, regardless of their background or ​ability, ​have the ​opportunity to ​play football," he ​added.

"The ​dedication ​and time ​that ​volunteers give ​every week ​across ​the ​season is amazing ​and ​without them, grassroots ​football simply wouldn't ​exist. ​Congratulations ​to ​everyone here this evening."

McDonald's ​Fun Football Ambassador ​Pat ​Jennings also piled ​praise ​on the ​award winners ​and ​nominees.

He ​commented: ​"Having ​been a ​Fun Football Ambassador ​for ​almost twenty ​years now, I have witnessed ​first-hand the significant ​impact that McDonald's ​Fun Football ​has had, and continues to ​have, ​on the lives of ​young ​people in ​Northern ​Ireland.

"In the time ​I have spent as an ambassador, I have loved ​travelling ​across ​Northern Ireland ​meeting the ​volunteers who ​make ​it happen ​for the ​kids. It's ​taken ​me right ​back ​to where ​football ​started for me.

"I ​have also seen ​the ​support that ​the ​McDonald's ​Franchisees ​across ​Northern Ireland have provided ​to local grassroots ​football clubs, ​by ​providing kits and equipment ​or ​by ​hosting ​community events. It's great ​to see."

Northern Ireland hero Rachel Furness, ​who ​attended ​the ​McDonald's Irish FA ​Grassroots ​Football ​Awards ​for the first time this ​year, ​commended ​the ​Fun Football programme's ​role ​in making football accessible to ​all.

"These awards are a ​fantastic initiative by ​McDonald's ​and the ​Irish FA, ​recognising the people who invest ​so much ​in the ​game ​at a ​local ​level," ​she ​said.

She added: "I ​think ​it's crucial that ​every ​girl and ​boy, no matter ​their background or ​ability, has the ​opportunity to ​play ​football and the ​Fun Football programme ​provides a safe ​and ​inclusive space for ​kids up and ​down the ​country ​to ​enjoy ​the ​game we ​all ​love."

McDonald's Franchisee Paul Connan commented: "At McDonald's, ​we ​are ​proud to support ​the people ​and clubs ​that ​bring ​communities ​together ​through ​football. ​Their ​time, care and ​enthusiasm ​gives young ​people opportunities ​and skills that reach ​far ​beyond the ​pitch.

"These ​awards are a chance ​to thank ​the ​volunteers and clubs ​who ​make ​grassroots ​football ​thrive ​across ​Northern ​Ireland. ​On behalf ​of McDonald's, I'd ​like to congratulate all the winners."