News

Northern Irelandand Premier League striker, David Healy is set to return to our shores on Saturday 14^th June 2008 for the ‘David Healy Fitba Day 2008’. 

The event, which is being organised by the Ulster-Scots Agency and supported by Cookstown District Council will be the largest football coaching session ever known to take place in the UKand Ireland! The chosen venue for this year’s event is The Mid Ulster Sports Arena, a state of the art outdoor sports facility on the outskirts of Cookstown, Co Tyrone.

The local councils are providing free transport to and from the venue and young people will have a great day and go home with an autographed photo of David Healy, a goody back pack and a souvenir programme of the day.

Thousands of young people - boys and girlsaged between 6 and 16, including children with disabilities, will take part in the one day event.  In addition to receiving high level football coaching, covering all abilities, the young people will also be given an opportunity to learn about the history, language and culture of Ulster-Scots. 

This will be the second year that David has joined the Ulster-Scots Agency in making dreams come true for thousands of young people from across the province and border counties.  In June 2007, David spearheaded the Ulster-Scots Agency’s ‘Fitba Day’ in Newtownards, Co. Down.  Due to the success of last year’s event; both David and the Ulster-Scots Agency were keen to develop the project in the future.  The Agency is therefore delighted to announce that David has agreed to be guest of honour at a football coaching day each year for the next three years.

David isNorthern Ireland’s current top scorer witha record 34 international goals in 62 appearances – including thirteen during the recent European Championships.  David is famous for scoring the winning goal againstEnglandat WindsorParkin September 2005 in a 1-0 victory to mark perhaps the biggest footballing result for Northern Irelandin the past twenty years! Then in September 2006 David scored a hat-trick which led to Northern IrelanddefeatingSpain3-2 in a qualifier for Euro 2008 and he scored all of Northern Ireland's goals in the 2-1 victory over Swedenin the same qualification group – all of this has made him local hero.

On the dayDavid will be joined by 64qualified local football coaches; among them a number of Irish League footballer’scoaches and specially trained special needs coaches.  The young people will be coached on a variety of football skills during the day, these will include passing and receiving, heading, chest control, keep-ups, dribbling and shooting.

Young people are being invited to participate from all overNorthern Irelandin addition to Counties Donegal, Monaghan, Dublinand Cavanin theRepublicofIreland.  Places have been allocated to the 26 Council areas in Northern Irelandand 4 Republic of IrelandCouncils.   For further information on how tickets for the event can be obtainedcontact your local Council.

Speaking about the event in June, David said, “I am delighted to return again this year to support and take part in the Ulster-Scots Agency’s ‘David Healy Fitba Day’.  Coaching days like this are essential in the development of young people and give them so much more than just a day’s football coaching.  As a youngster the excitement of a coaching day was one of the things that made me want to be a professional footballer.  The next generation of stars are out there and I look forward to seeing some of them in Cookstown.”

Chairman of Cookstown District Council, Ian McCrea MLA said, “Cookstown District Council is delighted to be hosting the David Healy Fitba Day at the Mid Ulster Sports Arena, an established première outdoor football and sports facility in Northern Ireland, which has been identified by the Irish Football Association as a county excellence centre and is used regularly by other major sporting organisations. We look forward to welcoming David Healy and the thousands to children taking part in this unique event and welcome the opportunity to join with the Ulster Scots Agency in the development of sporting skills and cultural understanding. We hope that many dreams do come true on Saturday 14^th June for the young aspiring footballers when they get the chance to play at one of Northern Ireland’s premier sporting facilities, the Mid Ulster Sports Arena, with one of country’s best footballers.”

Chief Executive of the Ulster-Scots Agency, George Patton said, “The Ulster-Scots Agency is absolutely delighted to be holding another ‘David Healy Fitba Day’ in June this year. We really appreciate David’s involvement in the project to date and are really looking forward to this year’s event at the Mid Ulster Sports Arena in Cookstown. In addition to meeting David and improving their football skills, the day will provide an opportunity for the young people to learn more about the culture and heritage of Ulster-Scots in a fun way. All in all it will be a great day for all those coming along”.

Contact the Ulster-Scots Agency:
Stephen Ferris
Tel: 028 90261987
E-mail: steven@ulsterscotsagency.org.uk