Jon Morrison was one of several volunteers who were rewarded for their contributions to grassroots football at the Scottish FA North Region Grassroots Awards ceremony held prior to The Dons UEFA Europa League match with Macedonian side KF Shkendija at Pittodrie.
The Scottish FA Grassroots Awards are sponsored by the Sunday Mail and McDonalds and aim to recognise and reward people across the country that make a difference to grassroots football in their local community. Jon Morrison picked up the award for ‘Best Volunteer in Schools Football’ in recognition of the excellent work that he has done to help deliver football for primary school kids throughout Aberdeen over the past 15 years.
Jon has often went well beyond the call of duty when it comes to primary schools football, he is often the maintenance man, he is the man with the pegs for the goals, he is the man that purchases additional velcro strappings for the netting, he's the groundsman repairing the divots, sweeping puddles off of the pitch and anything else that gets in the way of a game of football!
Jon is the chair ambassador for the primary schools league which involves attending meetings, implementing procedures, organising fixtures and the grading of teams. He also coached the P6/7’s at Forehill PS in Bridge of Don which included planning and delivering sessions and organising match-days.
Jon’s enthusiasm has also led him to help with supervising the P4-5 team at the school aiding his fellow coach source training venues, match-day kits and explain match-day routines. Somehow Jon has also found the time to train the P3-4 team but he hopes to find a parent that is willing to take the team on next season!
It was over 15 years ago that Jon had his first involvement in primary schools football when previous Senior Scottish FA Community Coach Jim Crawford helping to run Aberdeen City 7’s primary schools football league. Since then Jon has been there to welcome new coaches, to show them the ropes and to keep them engaged in the sport.
Over the past 12 months Jon has played a key role in helping the transition of Aberdeen City 7’s to AFCCT 7’s. From August the AFCCT 7’s Primary Schools League will involve every school in Aberdeen and without Jon’s commitment the transition would not have been as successful as it has been.
Scottish FA Community Coach Liam McGarry has been working closely with Jon and is delighted to see that his commitment to grassroots football has been recognised with this award.
“Jon has seen his league go from Aberdeen City 7’s to AFC Community Trust 7’s and his commitment to this transition has been imperative. Jon has been encouraging the Positive Coaching Scotland ethos and the Scottish FA National Player Pathway for many years prior to AFCCT coming on board, he is nationally a great example of a top volunteer in children’s football so it is magnificent to see him receiving well deserved recognition from the governing body.”
Jon’s contribution to primary schools football in Aberdeen has been immense and he has undoubtedly had a positive influence in gaining more new coaches to the game while providing thousands of kids over the years the opportunity to enjoy our game and keep fit. Long may it continue.
