Ayre and Coady reward youngsters

The aim of the night was to praise the youth of the city and to celebrate the work carried out by those involved in Liverpool's community schemes.

Ayre introduced the evening and began by emphasising the club's appreciation for the young people's achievements within their school life, personal life and within LFC's community initiatives.

"We at Liverpool Football Club are proud of our community department and are committed to continuing and improving our relationships with local people," said Ayre. "We regard young people as vitally important to the future of this Club."

The Liverpool Football Club Young Person of the Year was awarded to four young people whose courage, compassion and commitment towards taking part in community activity has been outstanding over the past year.

The quartet of winners were nominated by Anfield Sports & Community Centre, Breckfield North Everton Neighbourhood Council, Anfield Breckside Community Council and Liverpool Lighthouse.

The recipients have regularly given up their free time volunteering to work for the good of the community and have also had to overcome difficulties in their own lives showing great resolve and inspiring others in the process.

Young people from primary and secondary schools received Special Achievement Awards as nominated by their schools for outstanding care in school and in the community. 

There were several different awards categories on the night, including one for the Sweeper Zone initiative, which is now in its 11th year. The scheme gives out 20 free match tickets to local young people for every home game in reward for keeping Anfield tidy in partnership with Liverpool City Council.

Representatives of LFC's Kickz programme were present on the night and were acknowledged for their outstanding attitude throughout the year. The Premier League-run initiative is funded by the Football Foundation in partnership with Everton FC and engages with young people aged 12-18 years. It uses football as a tool to discourage anti-social behaviour or crime. 

The club's Respect 4 All centre, an impairment specific coaching centre for young people and adults with additional needs was strongly represented on the night. They rewarded the hard work and enthusiasm of those with severe learning difficulties, those who are blind or with visual impairment children with physical disabilities and wheelchair users. 

Goals 4 Girls, a project based in north Liverpool which provides multi-sport sessions and workshops for girls and young women, focusing on key female-specific messages were also acknowledged and received awards for their achievements. Some of the activities that take place in a typical Goals 4 Girls session include zumba, boxcercise, dodgeball and football.

The club's Dads and Lads group, run in partnership with - and based at - North Liverpool Academy gives fathers, father figures and boys the opportunity to play football together in a positive environment. Representatives of the scheme were on hand at the gala event.

LFC's social cohesion project Equality 4 All were there to enjoy the evening and reward participants. The project delivers coaching in areas such as Toxteth, Kensington, The City Centre, Kirkdale, Vauxhall, Anfield, Wavertree and Childwall aiming to engage with young people bringing them together through football and integrating the diverse communities in the city. 

The Premier League 4 Sport group was recognised and awarded on the night. The initiative encourages participation in non-traditional sports such as judo, table tennis, volleyball and netball. The young man who received last nights award is part of the table tennis group who recently represented Liverpool in the North West Table Tennis competition and won the 'Fair Play' award.

LFC and Liverpool City Council Youth Ambassadors were also present at the event. The group received an award for their Ambassadorial work for the Club and for the City and also received a record of achievement for their induction training and participation in community initiates.

Here are some more pictures from a fantastic evening at St George's Hall: