A YOUNG volunteer is taking one for the team after winning a grassroots award for helping adults with disabilities play the game.

Inspirational Ryan Borland has been giving up his own time since he was 14 to run the Greenock United team with his dad and others.

In that time the 22-year-old has also helped hundreds of youngsters across Inverclyde get involved in physical activity through the Active Schools team.

Now Ryan is putting all his hard work into practice, as he helps change lives working as the health and wellbeing coach at Whinhill Primary.

The modest coach says his best young volunteer prize 'really should be a team award'.

He added: "This is for all the volunteers who give up their time to run the club.

"We do it as a team.

"I was very honoured to be recognised."

Greenock United is a club committed to inclusion, set up and run with the purpose of giving everyone the chance to play football.

Six years ago the club put together a disability team for adults with training once a week and games once a month in Grangemouth.

The coaching team also includes Ryan's dad Iain and colleagues Liam Ruddy, Michael McLennan and David Burn.

Ryan added: "It is great to give the team the opportunity to play football.

"They love it and they are great guys to work with."

Since picking up his award from the West Region SFA, praise for Ryan has poured in.

The Active Schools team congratulated him by saying: "We would like to thank Ryan for all his time and commitment over the years.

"He is an absolute pleasure to work with and makes us smile every time he visits the office."

Local SFA development officer Stuart Rafferty nominated Ryan for the award in recognition of his efforts and was delighted to see him pick it up.

He said: "Ryan is a great guy.

"He is so committed and has made such a big difference locally.

"He deserves all the recognition for his commitment to football for everyone.

"He works as a health and wellbeing coach and the kids just love him."