Penarth lad to escort Wales and Belgium players at tonight's international (From Penarth Times)

Penarth lad to escort Wales and Belgium players at tonight's international

11:10am Friday 7th September 2012 in News

YOUNG football fan Deiniol Williams from Penarth has won the chance of a lifetime - to walk out with the Welsh and Belgian National Football teams when they face each other at the Cardiff City Stadium on Friday (September 7), in their first World Cup 2014 qualifying match.

Deiniol, nine, won the chance to walk out alongside his football heroes after entering a national competition on the McDonald’s Kickstart website.

The once-in-a-lifetime experience will see Deiniol walk out with some of the Premier League’s biggest stars such as Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey, as well as Belgian superstars Eden Hazard, Vincent Kompany and Moussa Dembele.

“I am really excited to be able to walk out with the Welsh team," said Deiniol.

"They have some really great players and it will be amazing to see them up close.”

Ian Rush MBE, McDonald’s Director of Welsh Football, added: “The Welsh National team will want to get off to a strong start in their World Cup qualifying campaign and are set for a tough match against Belgium.

"The atmosphere will be electric and I’m sure the Player Escorts walking onto the pitch will have a fantastic time.

"The McDonald’s football programme is about creating opportunities for people to get involved in grassroots football and to give youngsters footballing opportunities they will never forget. Hopefully this will be one of them!”

Since becoming Community Partner back in 2002, McDonald’s has been actively involved in helping to improve the grassroots game across Wales and has been at the forefront of the Club Accreditation Scheme which aims to improve the quality and accessibility of coaching to help young footballers shine. To date, more than 500 clubs have achieved accredited status.

For find out how to apply for club grants, win a visit from a football ambassador, or win the chance to become a McDonald’s Player Escort, visit www.mcdonalds.co.uk/kickstart