Helen Atkinson presented with award by the celebrity football mum-of-four during ceremony held at Wembley Stadium
Helen Atkinson was named the 2018 McDonald’s UK Football Mum of the Year at a special ceremony at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, 5th August, held ahead of the Community Shield match between reigning Premier League champions Manchester City and current FA Cup holders Chelsea.
Helen Atkinson was presented the well-deserved award by fellow football mum and advocate for grassroots football, Coleen Rooney. The award, now in its fourth year, proudly continues to recognise those mothers who are role models for children, have dedicated several years to grassroots football and has made a real impact in their local community.
A panel of judges, including celebrity football mum-of-four Coleen Rooney, current Manchester United Women’s Head Coach Casey Stoney and Tracey Crouch MP, Minister for Sport and Civil Society, chose Helen as this year’s winner from hundreds of entries across the UK.
Arguably the toughest, but most important, job in grassroots football – being a mum and ferrying your children around to training and games, whilst also being actively involved in the running of their club. The winner of this year’s award Helen Atkinson typifies all the hard work and sacrifices that many mums across the country make every year.
Helen has actively been involved in Crosfields Ladies for over six years, and as a single Mum with a busy day job at the Home Office, she gives up her time to serve in three roles (Child Welfare Officer, Under 8’s Manager and Crosfields Ladies Manager). Helen is also an active player in the Ladies team, and she also gives up her limited time to arrange off-field meetings and matches for both teams in her role as an active committee member.
Her drive and passion for the club and the game is an inspiration to everyone involved.
On receiving her award, Helen Atkinson said: “All I can say right now is wow! Being named the 2018 McDonald’s UK Football Mum of the Year is such an honour. I don’t think it’s sunk in that I’ve won! It was one thing finding out I had won, but to receive my award from Coleen Rooney at Wembley was unbelievable. Having been involved with grassroots football for many years, I’ve met some great kids and other volunteers that have kept me motivated – I love what I do and to be able to provide kids with a safe environment to play football is a great feeling. I would love to dedicate to this award to everyone involved at Crosfields JFC, my family and my two sons as without their support I would not be involved and playing football and finally to all the great football mums in the UK who do so much.”
McDonald’s ambassador Casey Stoney, one of the members of the judging panel who helped choose this year’s winner said: “Mums like Helen are the epitome of what grassroots football is about. Grassroots football is and has always been about the kids and it’s great to see Helen dedicate so much time into make sure children are encouraged and are having fun playing the sport. Being a mum myself, I’m honoured to recognise such a deserving winner for the 2018 McDonald’s UK Football Mum of the Year award.”
“This is my fourth year being an ambassador for the McDonald’s Football Mum of the Year awards and I have to say, every year the stories never fail to amaze me,” said McDonald’s Grassroots Football Awards ambassador Coleen Rooney, who met the winner at the ceremony. “When I read Helen’s nomination I was truly inspired by her dedication to grassroots football. As a mother of four young boys, I’ve seen first hand what mothers do to get their kids to training, so it was a pleasure to meet Helen and hand her the 2018 McDonald’s Football Mum of the Year award at Wembley.”
Last week McDonald’s announced a further four-year commitment to grassroots football, making the company the UK’s longest standing supporter of the grassroots game. The next four years will see McDonald’s work with all four UK football associations to provide more than five million hours of fun football as they seek to introduce thousands of children and young adults to the nation’s favourite sport.
For further information on McDonald’s involvement in grassroots football and to find out how your club could benefit visit www.mcdonalds.co.uk/football
–ENDS–
Mum of the Year Helen Atkinson poses ahead of Chelsea v Manchester City, FA Community Shield Final, Wembley Stadium, London, UK – 05 Aug 2018
Photo: Ryan Browne for The FA
The Football Mum of the Year Award was judged by a panel of McDonald’s and Football Association representatives from across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, led by McDonald’s ambassador Coleen Rooney. The team included:
- Coleen Rooney – McDonalds Football Mum of the Year Ambassador
- Casey Stoney – McDonald’s ambassador and Manchester United Women’s Head Coach
- Tracey Crouch MP – Minister for Sport and Civil Society
- Helen Ward – Wales and Watford Ladies player
- Suzanne Winters – Former Scotland Ladies international player
- Alison Nicholl – Northern Ireland U17 manager
McDonald’s has been FA Community Partner for 16 years. During this time they have helped thousands of clubs raise the standards of administration, coaching and child welfare, enabling over 4 million kids to play good quality football across the UK
For further details, please contact:
- mcdonaldssportsteam@redconsultancy.com or 020 7025 650
