Budding Young Footballers Pierce, Anton, Adam and Joshua from LORAG help Glentoran Goalkeeper Elliott Morris celebrate the success of the inaugural Glentoran ‘Our Club, Our Community’ Summer Scheme Coaching Programme.
Over 100 budding young footballers from seven local youth clubs and community groups got the opportunity to develop their football skills this summer after participating in the inaugural Glentoran ‘Our Club, Our Community’ Summer Scheme Coaching Programme.
The hugely successful programme – funded by the IFI, Community Bridges Programme - aims to support local youth clubs and community groups by providing one week’s free football coaching as part of their summer scheme activity.
Glentoran’s Community Coach visited each summer scheme and delivered a range of coaching sessions that focused on teaching young people the fundamentals of football in a fun and friendly environment. Sessions included speed, agility and quickness training, and developing dribbling, passing and shooting skills.
The local youth clubs and community groups who participated in the programme were: Carew II Family Centre, Rosario Youth Club, Ledley Hall Boys and Girls Club, Connswater Community Centre, Oasis Summer Scheme, LORAG and Ballymac Friendship Centre.
Russell Lever, Community Relations Officer at Glentoran Football Club, said: “Glentoran aims to support local youth and community groups by providing young people with a positive introduction to football at an early age.
“We will focus on teaching young people the fundamentals of football, helping them develop their skills and express themselves. We will also introduce children to the benefits of a healthy lifestyle, whilst teaching them important qualities such as respect, discipline and teamwork.”
The Glentoran ‘Our Club, Our Community’ Programme - funded by the International Fund for Ireland’s Community Bridges Programme – aims to make a positive cultural, social and educational contribution through all facets of football.
Working in partnership with our local community the Programme will deliver a wide range of initiatives to help address issues such as intercommunity prejudice, social inclusion, education and training as well as health and crime prevention.