Release Date: 21/07/2010

THE Irish FA Grassroots Department has teamed up with the Ulster Cancer Foundation to launch a ‘Safe in the Sun’ campaign that will teach parents/guardians and children about the importance of taking care in the sun – even here in Northern Ireland!

The campaign, which will be piloted this summer during two of the Nutty Krust Soccer Schools in Larne and Lisburn, will encourage all participating children to follow 7 golden ‘Safe in the Sun’ rules:

ü  Enjoy the sun safely

ü  Stay in the shade between 11am and 3pm

ü  Wear a hat

ü  Wear a shirt

ü  Wear sunglasses

ü  Use broad spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 15

ü  Check for skin changes

Sun cream, posters and bookmarks will be distributed by Irish FA Grassroots Development Officers and Ulster Cancer Foundation staff as a way of encouraging everyone involved in the soccer schools to stay safe in the sun.

Cancer Prevention Officer, Anne Devlin, who will visit both venues to offer advice and guidance, expressed her delight with the  initiative: “This is a great opportunity to emphasise to coaches and parents/guardians that children’s skin is especially sensitive to the sun therefore it is imperative that children are made aware of, and follow, the above rules”.

Lee Carroll, Head of the Irish FA’s Grassroots Department also praised the joint partnership: “It’s great for the Grassroots Department to work alongside the Ulster Cancer Foundation on this very exciting venture.  We are delighted to endorse this initiative as it compliments many of the pre-existing child protection and safety measures that we ensure are in place at all our Nutty Krust Summer Soccer Schools. Raising awareness about the importance of protection in the sun is another way of ensuring that children will have a great experience.”

For further regarding safety in the sun visit: www.careinthesun.org.

For information on the Irish FA Nutty Krust Summer Soccer Schools click here.

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