Coleen Rooney Reveals The 2016 McDonald’s Football Mum Of The Year Winner

Tereza Pevna | 10th August 2016

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Football mum Michelle Woollias received the award from celebrity mum-of-three during a special ceremony held at Wembley Stadium 
 
Michelle Woollias was crowned the 2016 McDonald’s Football Mum of the Year winner at a special ceremony at Wembley Stadium, held before the Community Shield clash between Leicester City and Manchester United, on Sunday, 7th August. 
 
Michelle was given the award, which was introduced in 2015 to encourage people across the UK to nominate a deserving ‘football mum’. The award recognises those mums who selflessly dedicate countless hours of their spare time, often while juggling work and childcare commitments, so that their children can enjoy playing football and is awarded by fellow football mums Coleen Rooney and broadcaster Jacqui Oatley.  
 
Michelle was chosen as the overall winner of the 2016 Football Mum of the Year by McDonald’s Head of Women’s and Girl’s Football Casey Stoney and Coleen Rooney, wife of England and Manchester United Captain Wayne Rooney. Having beaten hundreds of other nominees to the award, Michelle was presented with her award in a lavish ceremony held at Wembley.
 
Michelle Woollias’ daughter dreamt of joining a football team to play just like her brother. With no girls’ teams available in the local area, Michelle made the decision to start one for her. With no background in football, aside from a season ticket watching Bradford City with her family, she ambitiously approached the committee of Thackley Juniors FC to set up a girls’ team. Michelle quickly attained the FA Level 1 coaching badge and then FA Youth Module 1.  She now oversees five girls’ teams from under-7s to under-11s. Her ethos and approach is highly thought of by both her peers and the local FA alike.
“Being named the 2016 McDonald’s Football Mum of the Year is an absolute honour – I still can’t believe I’ve won! Spending the day at Wembley and having the opportunity to meet such inspirational women as Coleen, Jacqui and Casey has been an incredible experience,” said Michelle Woollias; “I remember reading about Leah’s victory last year but never thought I’d be standing here twelve months later. I hope receiving this award helps inspire more female roles in the game, as it’s something I’m truly passionate about. This award is genuinely for the thousands of hard working, committed football mums all over the UK who sacrifice so much to help local children enjoy the game and I want to say a huge thank you to each and every one of them too!”
 
“Being asked to judge the 2016 McDonald’s Football Mum of the Year Award was a huge privilege,” said McDonald’s Football Mum of the Year ambassador Coleen Rooney, who presented Michelle with her award. “Reading through all the nominations and learning about these inspirational women really brought home how important football mums are to grassroots football. I know how hard it is juggling being a working mum with getting Kai to training and making sure all his kit is ready every week but some of the women who were nominated do so much more than this and have incredible stories. Their dedication is awe-inspiring and the impact they have on the children is undeniable, which is why I’m so proud to once again be part of this incredible campaign.”
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