Outstanding Contribution nominees Day 2

One of the highlights of this Sunday’s FA Community Awards presentation by McDonald's will be the 'Outstanding Contribution' category with eight fantastic volunteers in the mix for the prestigious accolade.

Today TheFA.com focuses on Keith Hardy and Keith Chamberlain:

Keith Hardy
Keith Hardy might be the chairman of Wyrley Juniors but that’s just the tip of the iceberg for this grassroots football volunteer from Walsall.

A typical weekend sees Keith up at 6am, marking out the pitches and putting up the nets for the Walsall Sunday Mini-Soccer League whilst fitting in managerial and coaching duties with Wyrley Juniors U17s and the club’s Soccer Academy for Girls.

Keith is also doing his bit off the field of play as well and recently set up football training courses for youngsters with both the Youth Service and local Community Police in the school holidays.

And running in the background is one of Keith’s most ambitious projects to date – a brand new clubhouse for Wyrley Juniors’ 39 teams and the wider community. If Keith is successful on Sunday then the Outstanding Contribution Award will be a fitting addition to the club’s brand new trophy cabinet.

Wyrley Juniors’ Dianne Quimby said: “He works closely, tirelessly and enthusiastically with many different groups to support the work of young people in the local area.”

Keith Chamberlain
The trip to Wembley Stadium this Sunday will be a short one for Keith Chamberlain with the grassroots veteran dedicating over 40 years to local football in Harrow.

After a short playing career, Keith decided to turn his hand to volunteering behind the scenes and the list of achievements include managing and coaching at Harrow Borough, Southall, Pitshanger and the Middlesex FA Youth Representative Squads amongst others.

The Swansea City fan then turned his attention to refereeing in 1980 and still averages 100 games a season in the middle while turning out as an assistant referee in the Suburban League on Saturday afternoons. No surprise then that Keith is the Harrow Youth Football League’s Referee of the Year.

Andy Lowe, the chairman of the Harrow Youth Football League said: “Keith is supportive, loyal, reliable and highly committed.

“He’s a true friend who has made a significant contribution to football in the community.”