Leisure and Sports \ Grassroots \ McDonald programme

McDonald programme

Fun-Filled football festival in Warrenpoint

The Irish Football Association and McDonald’s hosted a football festival at the home of Warrenpoint Football Club on Wednesday 9th May as part of their community football programme.

The festival was attended by P5 pupils from three primary schools in the Newry and Mourne. The pupils from Kilbroney, Dromore Road & St Dallan’s Primary Schools interacted with and learned new skills from Northern Ireland’s Football Development Officers and Community Coaches.

Last year McDonalds and the IFA created 250 new coaches through their Grassroots Football Programme and they have recently agreed a new four year campaign. The partnership will see the development of grassroots football through the creation of local coaches, a concerted and widespread schools curriculum programme and a series of interactive football festivals across Northern Ireland.

Pat Jennings, McDonald’s Head of Northern Ireland Football, said; “These Regional Football Festivals are a key element of our community partnership with the IFA. It’s a great day out for the kids and a great way of celebrating the development of the game right across Northern Ireland.”

The McDonald programme is aimed at primary schools where they receive 4 weeks free coaching.

Schools presently taking part in the programme -

- St. Ronan's Primary School, Newry

- Windsor Hill School

- St. Patrick's Primary School, Mayobridge

- Dromore Primary School, Warrenpoint

If you would like to take part in this free programme please contact Malcolm Roberts IFA's Grassroots Development Officer for the Newry & Mourne Grassroots Centre, based at the Council offices Greenbank Industrial Estate, Tel: 028 30313244 / 07894 614301