A delegation from Oman has visited the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park to find out about the Irish FA Foundation’s Stay Onside programme.
Members of the study group, consisting of judges and officers from the Royal Oman Police, were given an overview of the programme as well as a stadium tour.
The aim of the visit was to highlight the success of the programme, share good practice and develop a future working partnership with Oman and its footballing neighbours in the Arabian Peninsula region.
The visitors were keen to learn how aspects of Stay Onside could be implemented in partnership with the Oman Football Association to help young people in Oman.
Stay Onside works with young people at risk of offending in the community, selected men and women who can be used as peer mentors and those in prison who use football and sport as part of their rehabilitation by helping to prepare them for release.
Participants receive a UEFA Level 1 Coaching Award and Referees Introductory Award and are enrolled as IFA volunteers. Modules also cover hate crime prevention, mental health awareness and coping with addictions.
