McDonald’s Fun Football Centres kick off in NI

McDonald’s has launched its popular Fun Football Centres in Northern Ireland for 2022.

The McDonald’s Fun Football Centres are delivered in partnership with the Irish FA and provide children in Northern Ireland with the opportunity to try football for the first time. The sessions are free and include a Fun Football Activity Book and are currently available in Northern Ireland to children aged between five and eight.

Local parents are encouraged to register their children to one of the upcoming centres on the Irish FA’s website, www.irishfa.com/funfootball.

Legendary Northern Ireland goalkeeper Pat Jennings, a McDonald’s Fun Football Ambassador, said: “Through the years I have witnessed first-hand the significant impact that McDonald’s Fun Football has had, and continues to have, on the lives of young people in Northern Ireland.

“Fun Football introduces children and families from all communities and backgrounds across Northern Ireland to interactive coaching sessions and events. Young boys and girls can learn about our great game in a fun, relaxed and inclusive environment.”

Des Lamph, franchisee at the McDonald’s restaurant at the Abbey Centre in Newtownabbey, added: “Our partnership with the Irish FA on the McDonald’s Fun Football programme is so important to us, and highlights our commitment to fostering the development of football for all in Northern Ireland.

“We are extremely proud that, through the McDonald’s Fun Football programme, more than 75,000 children across Northern Ireland have benefitted from 250,000 hours of coaching, games and fun.”

Roy Carroll, former Northern Ireland goalkeeper and now goalkeeping coach for the men’s senior international team, said: “The Fun Football sessions are a really great way for kids to learn the fundamentals of football. They get to kick a ball around and have fun, simple as that.”

Twelve venues across Northern Ireland will host the first batch of the free four-week sessions this year. They kicked off at Valley Leisure Centre in Newtownabbey on 3 March and will be followed by the Lakeland Forum in Enniskillen on 16 March.

The others include Hillsborough Village Centre (4-25 May), Ballymena Showgrounds (27 April-18 May), Brook Activity Centre in Dunmurry (18 March-8 April), Bangor Aurora (1-22 April) and Maghera Leisure Centre (4-25 May).

McDonald’s Fun Football sessions will also be running at Roe Valley Leisure Centre (26 April-17 May), Bishop’s Field Sports Centre in Derry-Londonderry (26 April-17 May), Avoniel Leisure Centre in east Belfast (30 March-20 April), Abbey GS Newry (21 March-11 April) and Tandragee Leisure Centre (5 May-26 May).

For more information, visit www.irishfa.com/funfootball.