Professional football coaches from Premier League club Arsenal have been working with some young footballers from North Belfast at a special cross community tournament.
Supported by the Housing Executive, Limestone United hosted the event at the Mountcollyer Youth Club.
The Arsenal In the Community coaches provided special workshops discussing their work with Emirates youngsters.
Organiser Brian Caskey, said; “We wanted to engage with young people livingon North Belfast Interfaces and sport is an excellent way to do that.
“The Arsenal coaches discussed their work with young people in London and their programmes to help people break away from crime, to build a more positive future through football coaching.
“They discussed relevant issues in terms of interface violence and the positive choices they can make for their futures.
“In between times, teams from both sides of the divide, came together to take part in competitive matches, where again the Arsenal coaches were engaged.
“Having the backing of the Housing Executive made a real difference and we thank them for their funding and their support for the project itself.”
Organisations who attended the event included:
- Holy family Youth Club
- Mountcollyer Youth Club
- World United diversity project
- Limestone united seniors and juniors
- Genesis Young People’s Drop In - Whitehead
- Youth Justice Agency
- Representatives from Arsenal in the community
- PSNI
- Representative from Integrated Education
- Star Neighbourhood – New Lodge Road
Liam Dillon, the Housing Executive’s Good Relations Officer for North Belfast, said; “Our Community Cohesion Unit is always on the look-out for projects and initiatives which help create better and safer neighbourhoods.
“This event provided some great football in a very positive spirit – well done to the organisers on such a great initiative.”
Other statutory agencies attending the event included the Youth Justice Agency and the PSNI.
For more information, click online at www.nihe.gov.uk.
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