Newcastle Emlyn football coach Carys Davies has won a top coaching award.

Former Ysgol Dyffryn Teifi pupul Carys, aged 20, joined football legends including Craig Bellamy and Ryan Giggs at the Football Association of Wales (FAW) Community Awards, presented by McDonald’s, after being named winner of the Community Coach of the Year in the annual grassroots football awards.

The FAW Community Awards, presented by McDonald’s, aim to recognise and celebrate those volunteers, clubs and leagues across Wales, who dedicate their time to grassroots football in their local community.

Carys collected her award at Cardiff City Stadium ahead of the Wales vs Cyprus UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying match, at a national ceremony where she got to meet McDonald’s Head of Welsh Football, Ryan Giggs.

Carys Davies’ journey as a coach started when she volunteered to look after a number of girls who didn’t have anyone to keep an eye on them. Since that afternoon she has become one of the most prominent coaches in West Wales. She now coaches four sides at Newcastle Emlyn FC with around 60 girls under her guidance. Her enthusiasm and natural flair for coaching has seen her recognised with a place at the WFT West Wales Girls Performance Centre where she was in charge of the Under 12s team in 2013/14 season. Always trying to expand her coaching knowledge, Carys is now studying for her C Certificate and has recently set up courses in Llanelli and Carmarthen to introduce more girls to the game.

McDonald’s Head of Welsh Football, Ryan Giggs said: “Carys’ award is a reflection of the hard work that goes into grassroots football which runs up and down the country. It is thanks to volunteers like Carys that our young footballers can enjoy grassroots football in a safe and fun environment. It’s important that we recognise the extraordinary efforts of the volunteers and clubs across Wales because without their dedication, time and effort the game as we know it wouldn’t exist. I would like to personally congratulate Carys on winning, it is fantastic that they have been recognised and it was a pleasure to meet them on the night.”