Parkvilla in line for FAI Club-of-the-Year accolade

Parkvilla have been nominated along with seven other clubs for the prestigious FAI Club-of-the-Year award.

The Navan outfit have been put forward for their “underage participation” and to receive the award would be a huge boost for the Claremont Stadium club in this their 50th anniversary year.

The clubs nominated are: Springfield Rambers (Cork), St Ita’s (Dublin) for coach education; Shiven Rovers (Galway) and Ballyouster (Kildare) for club facilities and development; Cappoquin FC (Waterford) and Parkvilla for underage participation and Cahir Park (Tipperary) and Cullen Lattin FC (Tipperary) for community.

Representatives from each club were in attendance at the Republic of Ireland v Netherlands friendly match as guests of Aviva to receive their nominees cheque for €1,500 and meet the judging panel. The cheque was presented by Aviva’s Club-of-the-Year ambassador and former Irish international Jason McAteer.

The eight clubs will also be represented at the FAI annual meeting and Festival of Football in July where they will make their presentation before a panel of judges headed by the FAI vice-president Donal Conway along with a representative from Aviva, FAI Club Development and Dublin City Council.

The winning club will be named the Aviva FAI Club-of-the-Year for 2016 and will receive a cheque for €5,000 on top of their nominee cheque of €1,500.

The one blot on what has been a memorable year so for Parkvilla was their relegation from the Leinster Senior League Div 1B which ensures they will be playing junior football next season.

The Aviva Club-of-the-Year Award is now in its 11th year and is open to any club across the country to enter free of charge online.

Previous winners form Meath have included Trim Celtic (2014) and Dunboyne (2009).