Release Date: 27/02/2009

IRISH FA Head of Community Relations, Michael Boyd, won an Excel Leadership Award at the Management and Leadership Conference at the Waterfront Hall on Thursday, for leading the EU supported Football For All anti-sectarian campaign.

The Excel Leadership Awards are endorsed by the Management and Leadership Network (MLN) and the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce (NICCI).

Irish FA President, Raymond Kennedy, said: “It is great news for the Irish FA that Michael’s leadership skills have been recognised at this world class conference, indeed the biggest ever business conference in Northern Ireland.”

Bill Manson, Chief Executive of MLN, added: “Football For All is an inspiring story.  Michael’s personal story leading on Football For All and inspiring change has made a real difference to how the Irish FA and Northern Ireland football is perceived both locally in the community and internationally.  Football For All has been at the heart of the most significant changes seen at the Irish FA over recent years and its value to the Irish FA as a business is immeasurable.”

Michael thanked the sponsors of Football For All and dedicated the award to the Irish FA staff, football volunteers and Northern Ireland football fans: “I would like to thank the EU, the Special EU Programmes Body, Border Action, Belfast City Council, Sport NI, the PSNI, DCAL, OFMDFM, UEFA, the University of Ulster and the Northern Ireland Community Relations Council for supporting Football For All.  This award is dedicated to the Amalgamation of Official Northern Ireland Supporters Clubs for their invaluable support of Football For All, all the volunteers who are the lifeblood of local football and all the staff at the Irish FA who have championed Community Relations.”

With continued support from the EU the Irish FA is re-launching the Football For All Project at the Odyssey in the Storm cinema on 1 April between 11am-1pm with the official world premier of the new “Green and White Army, the Fans Story” film.  Football For All Ambassador Colin Murray is making historic announcement at the launch.

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