Hundreds of children and families from across Northern Ireland have enjoyed McDonald’s Fun Football festivals as they returned this summer.
Starting off in Belfast's Grand Central Station, the free festivals then returned to the beach at the famous Portstewart Strand (pictured) and finished a triple header in the shadow of the Mournes in Donard Park, Newcastle.
Children and families from across Northern Ireland took part in introductory coaching sessions under the guidance of top football coaches on a pop-up pitch and skills activities including ‘speed of shot’, passing and goalkeeping challenges.
The Fun Football events welcomed some special Fun Football Ambassadors, including Northern Ireland record appearance holder and former captain Steven Davis and legendary goalkeeper Pat Jennings.
While attending the Portstewart festival, Davis remarked on how good it was to see children playing football with smiles on their faces and making new friends.
“It’s a great initiative and I think it’s brilliant that McDonald’s and the Irish FA are putting on so many hours of free football in Northern Ireland. It’s really important and you can clearly see how much the kids are enjoying it,” he added.
In Newcastle, Pat Jennings said Fun Football brings him right back to where football started for him.
He said: “I’ve been working with McDonald’s and Fun Football for almost 20 years now, and I love going around the country meeting and acknowledging the people that look after the kids and introduce them to football.”
Paddy Cusack, franchisee at McDonald’s, said: “It’s great for McDonald’s to be in a position to get behind events like these and, with three great backdrops for the festivals, the events proved a real success again this year.
“You can always feel the energy at the festivals and it’s great to see kids benefit from the physical and mental health advantages of playing football in a fun, inclusive and safe space.”
Fun Football Festivals are just one part of the McDonald’s Fun Football programme that will deliver over 10.5 million hours of Fun Football for over one million children by 2026, making it the largest grassroots participation programme in the UK.
The programme is delivered in collaboration with the Irish FA, Scottish FA, The Football Association of Wales and a network of coaching providers in England, with regular sessions taking place throughout the year all across the UK.
