At our last home match, the Glentoran Academy was presented with the second annual bursary from the David Ervine Foundation.
The Foundation’s partnership with Glentoran Academy was launched in January 2017 to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the death of David Ervine MLA, an East Belfast man and lifelong Glenman. The David Ervine Foundation made the following commitment to the Glentoran Academy:
Bursaries over 5 years, to support four disadvantaged young people each year in the Glentoran Academy to help fulfil their ambitions in football and in life;
Sponsorship of a David Ervine Youth Cup in his memory.
The David Ervine Foundation was established by David’s family, friends and colleagues shortly after his death in January 2007. In the words of his wife Jeanette it was, 'to enable disadvantaged children and young people to reach their full potential - to give them a vision and a chance to do their best'. Over the past 11 years the Foundation has supported many children and young people from all communities in this way. Through this formal support of the Glentoran Academy – home to over 400 young footballers from all backgrounds and all sections of the community – David Ervine continues to contribute to the football club he loved.
Photograph: Jeanette Ervine (widow of David) and Jackie Redpath of the David Ervine Foundation with Ian Kerr (Vice Chairman, Glentoran FC) and Grahame Jenkins (Glentoran Director responsible for the Academy). Included in the photograph are the four Glentoran Academy players selected by the David Ervine Foundation for an Academy Bursary for this season: left to right: Ryan Dalzell. Alfie Anderson, Claudia Newell and Jonny Kelly. Also Stephen Beattie (Chairman, Raven Social Club).