The Irish FA held a joyous graduation event to celebrate students completing the Education and Employability Programme.
Students who have been involved in the programme over the last couple of years received their certificates, got a tour of the National Stadium at Windsor Park and had some refreshments to celebrate their achievements.
The programme runs alongside subjects offered by schools and colleges to both GCSE and A-level/BTEC students and is designed to give the participants additional qualifications on top of their academic ones.
The aim is to provide participants with opportunities to use their qualifications and develop new skills by volunteering and/or working on Irish FA programmes such as holiday camps, coaching in after school clubs, coaching at local primary schools, doing work experience and getting involved at local clubs.
Daniel Chambers (Irish FA Education Officer) said…’it was fantastic to have the students come to the stadium today to celebrate their achievements in the Education and Employability Programme. The majority of students who attended today have aspirations of having a career in not only football but in the Sport and Leisure industry so it’s great to be able to give them additional qualifications and most of all real experiences in the industry to help them achieve their dreams’.
Schools and Futsal Manager Gareth Allen added ‘We wish all the students the very best in their future endeavours and remind them that our door is always open should they require further support, guidance and experience upon their journey. We give great thanks and gratitude to the partner schools and their staff who have been great and see the holistic benefits the programme has to offer. We very much look forward to expanding the programme as it moves into its sixth year’
A huge thank you to the schools who were involved in this year’s programme:
Ashfield Boys HS
Larne HS
Belfast MET
NRC Coleraine
NRC Ballymena
La Salle College
Belfast Boys Model
If your school or college would like to be involved in the programme or would like more information please contact:
Daniel Chambers (Education Officer) – daniel.chambers@irishfa.com
Francis Brennan (Education Officer) – francis.brennan@irishfa.com
