Hot on the heels of winning the Irish Cup, Glentoran are delighted to announce their new re-established partnership with Ashfield Boys’ High School.
Ashfield Boys’ has a long association with the club dating right back to the 1960s / 70s when past Ashfield pupils such as Ron McCreery, Barney Bowers, Alan Paterson and Alan Harrison all played for the club. McCreery, Harrison and Paterson went on to become part of the invincible unbeaten league championship winning team of 1980/81. Later in the 1980s and 1990s players such as Tommy Leeman, Raymond Morrison, Gary Hillis and Mark Lennox donned both the Ashfield and Glentoran jerseys with distinction. Other multi trophy winning Glens players such as Justin McBride, Darren Armour, Jay Magee and the more recent, high achieving trio of Paul Leeman, Andy Kirk and Stuart Elliott. The school has an honours record dedicated solely to an all-time Ashfield / Glentoran legends eleven.
New Black Box Gym for strength and conditioning sections
Since Ali Pour took over as majority shareholder at Glentoran in July 2019, and brought with him Mick McDermott and Paul Millar, they have set about reconnecting the club with the community. It is with this sheer drive, determination and dedication, from both the club and the school, that we are now in a position to announce our latest development.
The club and school are developing a full-time football academy for players between the ages of 16-18. These young players will have the opportunity to not just study for Level 3 BTEC Extended Diploma in Sport (equivalent of 3 ‘A’ Levels) but will also have a schedule for full time training, coaching, strength and conditioning. Furthermore, two IFA Education Development Officers, will deliver a full enrichment programme providing the young players and students with the following additional qualifications:
- Grassroots Introduction to IFA Coaching Award
- Level 1 IFA Coaching Award
- IFA Roles & Volunteers Workshop
- Referee Introductory Certificate
- Mental Health Workshop
- Coaching Disabled Footballers Award Level 1
- Coaching Fundamentals Certificate
- Futsal Introduction to Coaching Award
- IFA Level 1 Futsal Coaching Award
- Show Racism the Red Card Workshop
- Accredited OCN Level 2 Award in Football Business
- Full Referee Award
- IFA ‘C’ Diploma
New 4G pitch for coaching sessions and matches
Mick McDermott, as a qualified teacher and UEFA Pro License holder, along with the club’s professional players will lead regular coaching sessions; they will also help mentor and assist the young players and students, in conjunction with the school’s PE staff, deliver coaching and festival days for our local East Belfast Primary schools. In addition to all of this, each student on the course will have the opportunity to gain work experience and coaching opportunities with the Irish Football Association and Glentoran Football Club.
- Ultimately, our aim is to ensure that everyone who embarks on this exciting new course will have the opportunity to progress to either:
- Professional Footballer
- Professional Football Coach
- Ulster University BSc (Hons) in Football Coaching and Business Management
- University Ulster BSc (Hons) in Sport and Exercise Science
- Southern Regional College Sport Science, Coaching and Fitness
- USA Scholarship
- Employment
Top of the Range ICT Suite for taught sessions and completing Coursework
Ashfield Head Teacher Jo McColgan said of the initiative: ““We are absolutely delighted to be reconnecting with Glentoran FC and creating a variety of opportunities and pathways for our young people.
Ashfield Boys’ has a proud history of excellence, not just in terms of academic achievements but also in football. So many of our pupils have represented and achieved great success with the Glens over the decades. We are also the school who has produced the most Northern Ireland Internationals. Nine in total with Glentoran players Stuart Elliot and Andy Kirk among them.
We look forward to working in partnership with Glentoran FC and embedding both the school and club firmly in the local East Belfast community. We are hugely excited about the future”
Glentoran Head Coach Mick McDermott: “This is another major step forward in our journey to strengthen both our community ties and our Club.
The biggest Club in Belfast partnering with the largest boys’ school in East Belfast is an exciting prospect. We know that this relationship will offer unique educational and career options for many. I am, personally, looking forward to getting involved and developing the program in the coming weeks, months and years”
If you are waiting for your GCSE results this week and would like to apply to further your education through this unique course, please contact:
Mr Jo McColgan on 02890 656812 or jmccolgan320@c2kni.net
Futsal Training and competitions in the Sports Hall