THE MFC Foundation have been shortlisted as a finalist at the Community and Recreation Awards.

The Foundation, which is the charity affiliated to Middlesbrough FC, will be one of the finalists at the prestigious national awards, which will be held at Twickenham Stadium later this year.

The Community Sport and Recreation Awards are a nationally-recognised awards programme organised by the Sport and Recreation Alliance.

The MFC Foundation are on a shortlist of three for the Youth Development Award thanks to their work on their Premier League programmes - Kicks, Primary Stars, Inspires and Targeted - over the last year.

The winner will be crowned at an awards ceremony at Twickenham on Friday, March 17.

The awards will be presented by the Sport and Recreation Alliance’s President, HRH The Earl of Wessex, and the winners will also each receive £1,000.

On being named a finalist, head of MFC Foundation, Lynsey Edwards, said: "This is a great honour and we’re humbled to be shortlisted.

"We’re proud of what we do in those programmes which are delivered by enthusiastic and inspirational staff who want the best for the participants. They’re thrilled by this, we all are."

The Northern Echo: A junior coaching session run as part of the MFC Foundation's Kicks programmeA junior coaching session run as part of the MFC Foundation's Kicks programme (Image: MFC Foundation)

The Sport and Recreation Alliance’s Community Sport and Recreation Awards have been running for over 25 years, and are an annual celebration of grassroots clubs, organisations and individuals.

The awards celebrate the full breadth of sport and recreation, with previous winners including Newcastle United Foundation and Billingham Boxing Academy.