Thursday 29 September 2016

Vote for David Howie in the Cream of Ayrshire Awards!

David Howie, Chairman of FC Kilmarnock Ladies, has been shortlisted for the Contribution to the Community award in the Cream of Ayrshire Awards.



David started as a parent helper at Kilmarnock Ladies Football Club 8 years ago. Since then, he has progressed to become Club Chairman. Recognising that Scottish women's football is underdeveloped and weaknesses within the girls Club, he worked to initiate, then play a major part in increasing playing/coaching opportunites for every girl from age 9 to adult. He helped parents/ex-players gain coaching qualifications, secured placement opportunities for college students to develop their coaching skills and ensured existing coaches achieved the highest level of coaching qualifications.

As well as being Club Chairman, David has also coached girls in all age groups. He created a fun, safe and competitive environment for participation and development of grassroots football. He helped create a successful sporting infrastructure within Kilmarnock Ladies FC which has allowed the girls to develop their skills and aspire to achieving regional and national status.

He managed to integrate Kilmarnock Ladies FC from being a small stand alone club to being part of the main Club at Kilmarnock FC which has provided better training, equipment and development opportunities for the girls all within a professional stadium environment. He has worked hard to forge good relationships with Kilmarnock FC which has seen huge improvements in the ladies game. He also managed to secure sponsorship for a wide range of kit which allowed the Club to keep monthly subscriptions to a minimum thus allowing equal opportunities for every girl. He never misses a fundraiser and is a regular face lending his hand when needed. He is very keen to ensure that some of the funds raised go to local charities.

David was personally involved in the creation of a brand new Club website which has not only promoted great communication within the Club, it has given the Club a more professional appearance and positive public exposure. He is now aiming towards buying the Ladies section their own minibus to allow the ladies to compete further afield.

Not only has he given so much time to Kilmarnock Ladies, he has risen to the challenge on a national level. He welcomed additional tasks within the SWF to help positively shape the future of women's football in Scotland and is now a member of the South West League Management Committee and Treasurer for the SWFL.

David has never received wages for his time and commitment. The work is completely voluntary and he selflessly wants nothing in return. He has a full-time job but somehow manages to attend Club meetings, deal with Club issues, coach the girls and attend games. He has made personal sacrifices such as time away from his family and his own hobbies/interests. He has given so much of himself that it has been both physically, emotionally demanding at times, yet he manages to be a husband, father, grandfather to his family and a father figure, agony aunt, psychologist, counsellor, motivator and friend to everyone at the Club. He is an extremely likeable character, a true inspiration and positive role model. He is, without a doubt, one in a million and deserving of recognition with a Cream of Ayrshire Award.

Help us to support David and FC Kilmarnock's amazing work by voting for him here: www.westfm.co.uk/pages/the-contribution-to-the-community-award-2016 (voting is only open from Friday until Sunday - so don't hesitate!)

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