The Abergavenny Rhinos have been awarded Gold Accreditation by the Welsh Football Trust’s Club Accreditation Scheme - the highest accolade in grassroots football.

The award was presented to the team by Nathan Bracegirdle, store manager of the new McDonald’s branch on Iberis Road in Abergavenny, which will be owned and operated by local franchisee, David Balcombe.

The Club Accreditation scheme forms part of the Welsh Football Trust’s programme to improve opportunities for kids to get involved in football.

Sponsored by McDonald’s, Community Partner of the Football Association of Wales and The Welsh Football Trust, the scheme was established to ensure standards of excellence within the grassroots football community.

The Abergavenny Rhinos, formed five years ago, are one of twelve clubs across Wales to have been recognised for offering the very best standards in grassroots football.

To qualify, the club must offer its members the coaching skills of a UEFA ‘B’ Licence qualified coach, have a minimum of two coaches per team and an FAW ‘C’ Certificate coach for every three teams. As part of the gold award, clubs must also offer specific goalkeeping and disability coaching.

Nathan Bracegirdle said, “The Abergavenny Rhinos provide lots of children across Abergavenny with the opportunity to play football in a safe and encouraging environment and I’m proud to support such a fantastic local club.

The team’s head coach Simon Mansfield added, “Everyone at Abergavenny rhinos is extremely proud of this award. As a club who only formed 5 years ago to join just 12 other clubs in Wales to achieve this has been amazing.

“We have really benefited from the outstanding commitment from McDonald’s in supporting grassroots football both in Wales and here in Abergavenny.”