The club is one of the first in the local area to receive the prestigious Scottish FA Quality Mark Standard Award. The award, part of the Quality Mark Accreditation Scheme run by the Scottish FA in partnership with McDonald's, recognises the contribution the club makes to the local community.

Club chairman Robert Dickson was presented with the award at Staiside Pavilion by Scottish FA South East committee chairman Ian Richardson, regional manager Mark Munro, Midlothian football development officer Keith Wright, and Midlothian Council leader Derek Milligan.

Mr Dickson said: "We are honoured to receive this award as it highlights the good work that is carried out by our numerous volunteers on a daily basis. We must thank the Scottish FA, and in particular our local development officer Keith Wright, for supporting the development of the club."

Mr Munro, said: "Quality Mark is about recognising good practice in our community football clubs and supporting them as they develop further. Bonnyrigg Rose provides a good model for community football, with opportunities for children to play from a young age through to adulthood, in a safe, friendly and developmental environment, and with well qualified volunteer coaches."

The club received the Quality Mark Standard Award after meeting a series of criteria in areas such as coach and player development, management, administration, welfare, and planning, and will now continue to work towards the next level of accreditation.

The club was formed in 1995 by a handful of dedicated coaches and has grown into one of the biggest clubs in the Midlothian area, catering for more than 260 young people, with teams at every age level from U-8s to U-19s. And thanks to Midlothian District Council, the club now has a home ground in the heart of Bonnyrigg at Staiside Pavilion, next to Lasswade High School.

There are three Quality Mark categories —Standard, Development, and Community. So far almost 300 clubs and schools have achieved accreditation over the three categories, and over 4,000 coaches have benefited from coach education and first aid training.

McDonald's, official partner of the Scottish FA Quality Mark Accreditation Scheme, will invest £100,000 in the scheme over the next three years as part of its ongoing commitment to grassroots football in Scotland.

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