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Sun Newspaper Soccer Sevens Tournament (April 2007)

 

Nine local primary school teams took part in the Sun Newspaper Soccer Sevens tournament at Sandy Bay Playing Fields.  The teams were divided into two groups with the top two teams in each group advancing to the semi finals.  The final match saw Corran Integrated Primary take on St MacNissi’s Primary.  In a very tight game neither team to get a break and find the net.  There was only one way the teams could be separated … penalties!  Corran Integrated Primary held their nerve to win the shoot out to become tournament Champions.  The school now goes forward to the national final later this term and will represent Larne against Primary School teams from across Northern Ireland.

 

Speaking about the tournament local Grassroots Development Officer Jonathan Michael said, “It is great to see so many children being active and enjoying the great weather we are having this month.  Events like day show how much football talent exists in our local schools and I have been impressed by the way each team has conducted themselves.  I trust that all the teams have enjoyed the day and I wish Corran Integrated Primary all the very best in the National competition.”

 

Jonathan added, “I would like to thank Larne Football Club for their support of this event and for providing gifts for the children.  I would also like to thank Gary McKeegan and his pupils from East Antrim Institute for their help in running this event.  Without the referees, time keepers, score keepers, team leaders and coaches this event would not have been possible.”

Larne Girls CIS Mini Soccer Wins Monthly Award

 

THE Irish FA’s Child Welfare Officer, Jim Grattan was given an insight into one of the Association’s Grassroots Programmes this week when he visited Larne Girls CIS Mini Soccer Centre.

 

The Larne Girls CIS Mini Soccer Centre runs every Monday from 6pm to 7pm at Antiville Playing Fields.  The CIS Mini Soccer Centres programme was officially launched last August and to date 21 centres have been licensed.  1,896 girls and boys regularly attend the centres’ coaching sessions

 

The CIS Mini Soccer Centres provide fun and informal football coaching based around small-sided games for boys and girls aged between 6 and 12.  Each centre offers qualified IFA coaching set within a fun and enjoyable atmosphere and at each child’s own individual level.

 

Each month awards are presented to two centres.  The Larne Girls centre has been named as one of April’s winners and as well as receiving this honour the centre receives 10 footballs, a set of CIS bibs and a set of discs.

Larne Grassroots Football Development

Nurturing the game for a better future

Grassroots News

Larne & Carnlough Youngsters Go Nutty For Soccer

(July 2007)

 

Larne’s Irish FA ‘Nutty Krust’ Summer Soccer Schools took place over July and August.  Over 125 boys and girls took part in the coaching sessions, daily skills challenges and mini soccer matches.  The weeks were organized by Larne’s Grassroots Development Officer Jonathan Michael.

 

Speaking about the weeks Jonathan said: “We have had a great summer, the weather had been excellent and most importantly all the children have really enjoyed the sessions.  These IFA ‘Nutty Krust’ Summer Soccer Schools are a super way for all children regardless of ability to further develop their skills.  It has been encouraging to see the children improve throughout the weeks and I hope that new friendships have been made.

 

Jonathan added “A big thank you must go to my team of IFA qualified coaches who worked so hard throughout the weeks.  The team’s enthusiasm and commitment has been amazing, in each session they have challenged every child to reach their full potential as well as making it enjoyable and great credit must go to them.”

 

Through each of the three weeks the children took part in a daily skills challenge with the winners meeting in the final on Friday.  The Umbro Skills Players were Matthew Devine (Larne), Conor McKinley (Carnlough) & Jack Gingles (Larne).  The boys will go forward to represent each centre at the Umbro Diamond Challenge Day later this year.

 

All children in attendance during the summer received an Umbro Football Pack containing at a boot bag, shin guards and a ball along with a Nutty Krust goodie bag which were well received. 

 

Larne’s Director of Development Linda McCullough took time to visit the centres over the summer.  Mrs. McCullough said “These Summer Soccer Schools provide children with a positive way to spend their free time over the Summer holidays.  It is fantastic to see so many young people from Larne being physically active, they seem to have had really enjoyable week and have learnt a lot.”

 

 

 

 

McDonalds Regional Festival

(October 2007)

 

The Larne Grassroots Development Programme teamed up again with McDonald’s to host a Regional Football Festival at Sandy Bay Playing Fields.  Over 150 primary school children from Larne Borough took part in the festival which is part of Larne Borough Council’s and Larne Football Club’s community football programme.

 

The children were offered opportunities to further develop their passing, dribbling and shooting skills as well as taking part in a penalty shoot out, speed, agility and quickness training and mini soccer matches.

 

Speaking about the festival Larne’s Grassroots Development Officer Jonathan Michael commented, “It is wonderful to see so many children here today enjoying the coaching sessions and matches.  Not only are the children developing their football skills and being given the opportunity to enjoy sport, but they are also learning about the importance of team work and having respect for their peers.  For many children this festival is their first introduction to football and I believe it has been a positive one.”

 

Jonathan added, “I would like to thank the coaches and pupils from Northern Regional College for their involvement today and for making it such a success.  I would also like to thank all the schools for participating in what I hope was an enjoyable day.”

 

 

 

 

 

Post Primary Girls Football Festival

(October 2007)

 

Larne Grassroots Development Programme in partnership with Larne Borough Council Community Sports Development Unit hosted a post primary Girls Football Festival, which took place at Sandy Bay Playing Fields and welcomed three year groups from Larne High School.

 

The girls were offered opportunities to develop their passing, dribbling and shooting skills as well as taking part in a penalty shoot out, speed, agility and quickness training and mini soccer matches.  Present on the day to provide expertise were Larne Grassroots Development coaches Gary Haveron and Carys Lloyd along with Larne Ladies manager William Noble and special guest, Northern Ireland Women’s International manager Alfie Wylie.

 

Speaking about the festival Jonathan Michael commented, “It is great to see so many girls here today enjoying the coaching sessions and matches.    We are so pleased that Larne High School could be involved in the day, we hope to run a similar event in the summer term and it would be great to have the other post primary schools in the borough involved.”

 

As sponsor of the event Larne Borough Council’s Community Sports Development Officer, Steven Mills, was happy to see the positive impact the festival had made.  “For many girls this festival may be their first introduction to football.  I hope that the football festivals and curriculum coaching programme that we are offering to post primary school girls will encourage more to become involved in this great game.”

 

At the end of the event the girls were offered the opportunity to ask Alfie Wylie some questions in regards to his involvement in the women’s game.  Alfie said, “Women’s football is the fastest growing sport in the world and as a nation we are improving every year.  Events like this and the curriculum coaching programme that Larne Borough Council are supporting is a positive step in development of the women’s game at a local level.  I wish the Grassroots Development Programme every success in this venture, who knows we may possibly have a few more internationals from Larne in the future.”

Craigyhill FC Midnight Soccer Champions (November 2007)

 

The Midnight Street Soccer League came to a close on Friday night after 10 successful weeks at the Linn Road Mini Pitch. The league aimed to address the lack of youth provision on Friday nights in the town and was funded by the Department of Social Development, supported by Larne Local Strategy Partnership, the local community groups and was organised by Larne Borough Council, Irish Football Association and Midnight Street Soccer.

 

A total of 7 local teams participated in the competition with Craigyhill FC running out clear winners with Boyne Square finishing second. Both teams will now represent Larne in the Northern Ireland finals on Saturday 15^th Decemember. As a follow-on to the league a number of people have now attended IFA training courses part of the overall aim of developing the local communities capacity.

 

The organisers would like to thank everyone who made the league a success including the players, staff, volunteers and supporters. We hope to see them all and more, when the league starts again in February. For information on any Community Sports Programmes please contact Steven Mills at Larne Leisure Centre. Tel: 28260478. Mob: 07841927744