Drogheda United chairperson Joanna Byrne thrilled by club's new tie-up with Rio Ferdinand Foundation
The Beyond the Ball community programme, funded by the International Fund for Ireland, has joined with delivery partners the Rio Ferdinand Foundation and Drogheda United to develop a community engagement programme that it says empowers social mobility by creating opportunities at the grassroots for young people aged 14 to 18.
Participants avail of weekly sports sessions and training and get the chance to earn leadership qualifications throughout the summer holidays.
Many of the young people involved in this programme attended a cross-border, cross-community football tournament at Youth Sport in Omagh in April - a tournament organised by Youth Advisory Board Members from previous Beyond the Ball cohorts.
Upon completion of the Beyond the Ball community engagement programme in Drogheda, participants will organise a cross-border tournament for young people from across Ireland, which will take place on August 19 at Sullivan & Lambe Park.
In addition to weekly football sessions, the programme invests in education and training qualifications for young people, building confidence and interpersonal skills and developing pathways to employability.
Since the programme's establishment in 2023, just under 1,000 young people from under-represented areas have participated in weekly education and training sessions, earning skills that empower them to create change within their community.
Reflecting on the latest instalment of the Beyond the Ball programme, Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand, Founder of the Rio Ferdinand Foundation, said: 'The Beyond the Ball programme has been a fantastic opportunity for my Foundation to deliver our leadership and community cohesion projects across Northern Ireland and Ireland for the last three years.
'This expansion into County Louth and our partnership with Drogheda United is exciting. To partner with a club that has such a strong connection within its community means we can amplify the project over the coming months.
'I would like to say a big thank you to the staff team at Drogheda who are working with my Foundation to deliver this programme. I look forward to hearing of its success.'
Joanne Byne, chairperson of Drogheda United, added: 'For Drogheda United to partner with the Rio Ferdinand Foundation is a great honour. Our visions have aligned on many fronts, with both focused on building communities and empowering young people.
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'This partnership allows us to create opportunities and pathways for the youth in our catchment area and affords us a real chance to help aid them in realising their full potential.
'As a club, we are very excited about the impact this can have locally, and we thank all those involved in the Rio Ferdinand Foundation for trusting us with this partnership.
'The future is bright, and we look forward to great things to come as a collective.'
Aoife Burns, football social responsibility officer at Drogheda United, added: 'This partnership empowers the young people in our community to reach their full potential by creating opportunities and chances to learn new things and engage new ideas.'
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Drogheda United chairperson Joanna Byrne thrilled by club's new tie-up with Rio Ferdinand Foundation
The Beyond the Ball community programme, funded by the International Fund for Ireland, has joined with delivery partners the Rio Ferdinand Foundation and Drogheda United to develop a community engagement programme that it says empowers social mobility by creating opportunities at the grassroots for young people aged 14 to 18. Participants avail of weekly sports sessions and training and get the chance to earn leadership qualifications throughout the summer holidays. Many of the young people involved in this programme attended a cross-border, cross-community football tournament at Youth Sport in Omagh in April - a tournament organised by Youth Advisory Board Members from previous Beyond the Ball cohorts. Upon completion of the Beyond the Ball community engagement programme in Drogheda, participants will organise a cross-border tournament for young people from across Ireland, which will take place on August 19 at Sullivan & Lambe Park. In addition to weekly football sessions, the programme invests in education and training qualifications for young people, building confidence and interpersonal skills and developing pathways to employability. Since the programme's establishment in 2023, just under 1,000 young people from under-represented areas have participated in weekly education and training sessions, earning skills that empower them to create change within their community. Reflecting on the latest instalment of the Beyond the Ball programme, Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand, Founder of the Rio Ferdinand Foundation, said: 'The Beyond the Ball programme has been a fantastic opportunity for my Foundation to deliver our leadership and community cohesion projects across Northern Ireland and Ireland for the last three years. 'This expansion into County Louth and our partnership with Drogheda United is exciting. To partner with a club that has such a strong connection within its community means we can amplify the project over the coming months. 'I would like to say a big thank you to the staff team at Drogheda who are working with my Foundation to deliver this programme. I look forward to hearing of its success.' Joanne Byne, chairperson of Drogheda United, added: 'For Drogheda United to partner with the Rio Ferdinand Foundation is a great honour. Our visions have aligned on many fronts, with both focused on building communities and empowering young people. ADVERTISEMENT 'This partnership allows us to create opportunities and pathways for the youth in our catchment area and affords us a real chance to help aid them in realising their full potential. 'As a club, we are very excited about the impact this can have locally, and we thank all those involved in the Rio Ferdinand Foundation for trusting us with this partnership. 'The future is bright, and we look forward to great things to come as a collective.' Aoife Burns, football social responsibility officer at Drogheda United, added: 'This partnership empowers the young people in our community to reach their full potential by creating opportunities and chances to learn new things and engage new ideas.'
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