News

Spearheaded by the George Best Foundation working in partnership with Ulster Bank and in association with the Irish FA, there will be a fun-filled football festival day for young people and their families.

The ‘Best’ Way Forward Day is based on mass participation, with the aim of providing football opportunities for children and young people.  The event will also be used to encourage a wider participation in sport by girls and people with a disability, as well as improving community relations by encouraging cross-community involvement.  In addition to this the project will help to educate and improve the health of all children and young people and help to reduce health inequalities by promoting healthier living and regular exercise.

Children and young people from North, South, East and West Belfast; Portadown; Lurgan and Newry will take part in the event and on the day all the participants will be kitted out with specially designed shirts – half will wear a green number 11 shirt and the other half will wear a red number 7 shirt – to represent Northern Ireland and Manchester United – the two teams which George Best was proud to represent.

On the day the games will be non-competitive and the coaching sessions will be about fun and enjoyment and during the intervals the boys and girls will have the opportunity to try out the large inflatables – which will include: the Bungee Run, Football Crazy, Skills Shelter, Penalty Shoot-out, a large obstacle course and a life-size table football game.

An ‘Information Marquee’ will play a significant role in promoting social values which should act as a deterrent for those who may be lured into alcohol, tobacco or even drug abuse.  The Irish FA’s Child Welfare and Community Relations Departments will offer support which can be instrumental in the fight against bullying, child abuse, discrimination, racism and sectarianism. There will also be other agencies involved in the day such as the Life Education trailer, FASA and similar youth bodies.

George’s sister Barbara McNarry who co-founded The George Best Foundation said: “It is not only the aim of the George Best Foundation to raise money for research into liver disease but also to offer young people an alternative in sport to the many social evils that threaten the health, both mental and physical, of our young people.  I would like to thank Ulster Bank for their continued support for The George Best Foundation and its aims.  I know that George would have been so happy to be associated with this day that bears his name.  We only wish that he was here to share it with us.” 

Northern Ireland manager Nigel Worthington added: “The government is increasingly concerned about the health and welfare of young people today.  The Irish FA feels that football, with the correct resources, has a tremendous amount to offer in giving children and young people of all ages and abilities, an active interest in the game.  The ‘Best’ Way Forward Day will provide fun football activities for all the young players and encourage them to have a life long love for the game; while the ‘Information Marquee’ at the venue will play a key role in emphasising the importance of an active and healthy lifestyle.”

The ‘Best’ Way Forward Day on Saturday May 24 has generated a considerable amount of interest in the football fraternity and therefore participation in the event is by invitation only.