THE head coach of a talented group of Pars youngsters has described being nominated for a national award after an "outstanding season" as a "real honour".
This Saturday, Dunfermline Athletic Ladies and Girls FC's Under-14 Whites will rub shoulders with some of the game's top stars after being shortlisted at the ScottishPower Scottish Women's Football (SWF) Annual Awards.
After nominees were put forward in 16 categories throughout September, it was revealed last month that the team have been put forward in the 'Youth Team of the Year' category.
They have been put forward for the prize after a hugely successful 2023 that has seen them win the SWF East Region League Cup, in June, and reach the semi-finals of the ScottishPower Youth Challenge Cup for their age group, where they lost 2-1 to eventual winners, Musselburgh Windsor.
The team have also won the Scottish Women's Football (SWF) East Region 14's Caroline Weir League and head coach, Chris Wilmshurst, said: "It's a real honour being nominated for best youth team at the SWF awards. It's another fantastic achievement for these girls, and great to be up against some top young sides from across the country.
"We've got three tables booked, so there'll be a big Pars presence! The girls can't wait and have been planning their outfits for a while now.
"Having suffered a heartbreaking defeat at the hands of eventual winners Musselburgh in the Scottish Challenge Cup semi-final a few weeks back, this is some consolation. With the league title added to the League Cup, it really has been an outstanding season, and all the coaches and parents could not be prouder of them."
Joining the team in being nominated for an award is Dunfermline-born Real Madrid superstar, Caroline Weir, who is up for International Player of the Year alongside Scotland team-mates Rachel Corsie, Martha Thomas and Lee Gibson.
The 28-year-old, who secured a dream move to Spanish giants Real last summer, won her 100th international cap in July, captaining the team, and scoring, in a 2-1 friendly win over Finland.
She described that landmark as a "really proud moment" to Press Sport, and went on to win her 101st, and 102nd, in UEFA Women's Nations League games with England and Belgium last month.
However, in the latter - a 1-1 draw at Hampden - Caroline, who signed a new deal with her club in the summer, suffered a devastating anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture in her left knee, which is set to sideline her for a lengthy spell.
In May, Caroline was named as the Scottish Football Writers' Association's International Women's Player of the Year, and earlier this month was voted by her fellow professional players as the Liga F Player of the Season for 2022/23, presented by the Spanish Footballers' Association (AFE).
READ MORE: Real Madrid's Caroline named as Spanish league's top player
Saturday's awards ceremony takes place at Hampden Park.
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