PAT JENNINGS ATTENDS FOOTBALL FESTIVAL IN CASTLEDAWSON

16/05/2007

NORTHERN Ireland goalkeeping legend and McDonald's Head of Northern Ireland Football Pat Jennings was at the Boyne Row Playing Fields in Castledawson today to attend a football festival hosted by the IFA, the South Derry Grassroots Development Centre and McDonald's as part of their community football programme.

The festival was attended by pupils from Maghera and Castledawson Primary Schools, where they were taught about team building and also had the chance to interact with and learn new skills from 'Big Pat', as well as local IFA Development Officers Niall Curneen, Jonny Michael and Joe Doherty. Community Coaches Gary Haveron, Keith Quigley and Ryan Kane also assisted with the event.

Last year McDonald’s and the IFA created 250 new coaches through their Grassroots Football Programme and the have recently agreed a new four year campaign.

This partnership will see the development of grassroots football through the creation of UK CC Level 1, 2 and 3 volunteer coaches, as well as a concerted and widespread schools curriculum programme and a series of over 125 interactive football festivals across Northern Ireland by 2010.

Pat Jennings, McDonald's Head of Northern Ireland Football, said: "The regional Football Festivals are a key element of our community partnership with the IFA. It's a great day out for the children and a great way of celebrating the development of the game at grassroots level across Northern Ireland."

Commenting on the success of the IFA's and McDonald's community partnership, Trevor Erskine, IFA Grassroots Co-ordinator said: "The festivals enable us to celebrate with the children who are benefiting from the success of our community programme with McDonald’s, through the provision of essential coaching and equipment.

"We are delighted to have helped so many new coaches through this partnership and we feel that this can only be of benefit to grassroots football within Northern Ireland."

After the festival, South Derry GDO Niall Curneen was delighted with how it went. "Despite the damp weather, the kids have had a great day here with Pat. They were able to get autographs and ask him questions and he had some fun with them. "Its good to see football in this area get a boost with visits from a legend like Pat. Thanks to all GDO's and coaches for helping out and making the day what it was!"

Northen Ireland goalkeeping legend and McDonald's Head of Northern Ireland Football Pat Jennings was in Castledawson today for a football festival hosted by

McDonald's, the IFA and the South Derry Grassroots Development Centre.

Learning and developing skills at the football festival hosted by McDonald's, the IFA and the South Derry Grassroots Development Centre at the Boyne Row Playing Fields in Castledawson.