Youth football clubs across Northern Ireland are being encouraged to stage their awards events at the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park.
Irish FA Tours, which aims to conserve and promote the heritage of Northern Ireland football for current and future generations through its tours and other activities, has just staged an end of season event for the youth section of Newry-based Damolly FC.
From start to finish our experience at the National Stadium was one filled with fun and laughter - and a lot of questions.
It was the first event of its kind at the stadium – and the kids loved it.
Jemma Thornbury, the Irish FA’s Visitor Experience Co-ordinator, explained: “Damolly FC were our first guests under our new Junior Trophy Awards experience.
“We had 50 children from Damolly aged six to 14 join us for their end of season trip and awards ceremony.”
Every single club member who came with us will look back on the afternoon as one of those special moments in life.
The kids enjoyed lunch in the Pat Jennings Lounge followed by a tour of the stadium and a visit to the Education and Heritage Centre, which tells the story of Northern Ireland football using a variety of media, interactive displays and key artefacts from the 1880s to the present day.
The final part of the Junior Trophy Awards experience was an awards ceremony in the Pat Jennings Lounge where Northern Ireland senior women’s team captain Marissa Callaghan was the special guest. Marissa gave an inspirational talk to the children and handed out their medals.
Joanne Patterson, from Damolly FC’s youth division, said afterwards: “From start to finish our experience at the National Stadium was one filled with fun and laughter - and a lot of questions.
“Every single Damolly club member who came with us will look back on the afternoon as one of those special moments in life.”
For further information about organising a Junior Trophy Awards experience please contact tours@irishfa.com.
Images: The kids from Damolly FC enjoy their Junior Trophy Awards experience.
