LUCY Cuff was recognised at the annual Dorset County Football Association volunteer awards ceremony at Bulbury Woods Golf Club.

The event was an opportunity for Dorset County Football Association to thank and recognise the hours of commitment, motivation and dedication that the army of helpers give with eight awards presented for outstanding contribution to Dorset Football.

Cuff, 18, is both a senior member of the Dorset County FA Youth Council and a development coach at Dorset’s Advanced Coaching Centre, motivating and peer mentoring the girls coming through the ranks.

A DCFA statement read: "Lucy also volunteered and found the time to support Dorset County FA at all the key events during 2016 and is an inspiration to others with her cheerful, positive attitude.

"Lucy has a particular passion for inclusion work and has been the Inclusion project officer on the Dorset Youth Council for the past two years.

"She is very determined to support female leaders and improve opportunities for young people with a disability, be it to become a volunteer in the sport or play football.

"Lucy has introduced and delivered ‘Soccercise’ to more than 40 girls aged 12-18. Soccercise is an aerobic-based fitness class, combining a variety of exercises with a football, maybe for people who think that traditional forms of football aren’t for them and, from engaging through ’fun’ sessions, two new school football teams have been formed at Shaftesbury School.

"Lucy’s desire is to encourage more female leaders to get involved in Football across Dorset.

"Lucy had the honour of being chosen to represent Dorset FA at the National Football Futures Academy where only 60 elite young leaders were selected from across England to attend a five-day residential course at St Georges Park, the Football Association's national football centre. This led to Lucy being selected as one of 20 female coaches to attend the Youth Sport Trust National Talent Camp at the end of 2016."

Sue Hough, chief executive of the DCFA, said: "Lucy has a professional can-do attitude. She is a fantastic role model to all young people, always upbeat with an infectious positive attitude."