3rd October, 2016

The Irish FA, as part of their ‘Football For All Strategy’ are delighted to announce a new and innovative partnership with Syrian Refugee Support Team. This partnership will develop programmes and initiatives using football as a vehicle to engage and integrate refugees into Northern Ireland Communities.

Extern and the Irish FA will work together to engage the Syrian community in the local areas using football. This will involve an eight-week programme with specialist coaching and nutritionist expertise.

Speaking at the launch, Irish FA Director of Football Development Michael Boyd highlighted the Irish FA’s continued dedication to footballs ‘social responsibility. “We are delighted to be supporting Extern in this highly beneficial programme and creating new partnerships that will help bring communities together in Northern Ireland. We are also looking to offer more opportunities for participation that will help advance our objectives in The Irish FA Youth Strategy ‘Let Them Play’.

Gavin Connolly, Extern Syrian Key Worker added,

“This is a fantastic opportunity for Extern and the Irish FA in creating a partnership moving forward, which can only be beneficial for the Syrian families”.