Write a commentThree Newry boys were among five selected to join the Swansea hopefuls at the Newry qualifier at the 3G Pitch at St Colmans Sports Complex recently
Young people from Newry & Mourne District were given the chance to showcase their soccer skills in a series of Street Striker challenges including free styling, target shooting using tyres/boxes, obstacle courses and 5-a-side matches
Newry & Mourne was a new venue this year and was one of a number taking part across the North including, Derry/Londonderry, Larne, Cookstown, North, South, East & West Belfast.
The cross community event is aimed at targeting young budding footballers aged between 14-17 years old and encourage youth from right across the political and religious spectrum.
Each qualifier kicked off with an educational workshop facilitated by local Irish League players, Stephen Garrett of Cliftonville and Michael Gault of Linfield who play for clubs across the religious divide. The workshops explore how cultural expression can be celebrated and embraced
Sinead O’Hanlon, Duty Manager at Newry 3G Pitch at St Colmans Sports Complex said ‘Newry & Mourne District Council was delighted to be selected as one of the venues for the Playball Street Striker project. The event was a great success and attracted a great selection of talented young local footballers to showcase their skills on the soccer pitch. This is the calibre of event we aspire to be running’.
Five budding footballers made the cut on the night and will now go through to the final and are one step closer to winning the life changing opportunity to spend a week’s trial at Swansea City FC. They are Jordan Copeland, Newry High School, Brennan Magennis, Abbey Grammar School, Craig Taylor, Killcoaine Junior High, Arnas Irzikevicius, Dungannon Integrated College, Eoghan Campbell, Abbey Grammar School.
