Ex-Manchester United star Rio Ferdinand at Sligo’s Showgrounds to take part in cross-border football initiative
Rio Ferdinand and Westlife's Shane Filan with (from left) Megan Rooney from Leitrim, chair of the IFI Paddy Harte, Phoebe Wallace from Enniskillen, Amy Malone from Leitrim, Dara Calleary TD, the Republic's Minister of State in the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, and Molly Nixon from Enniskillen
Rio Ferdinand and Paddy Harte, chair of the IFI, with Phoebe Wallace from Enniskillen and Torry Sloan from Omagh. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile
Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand and Westlife star Shane Filan were in Sligo on Wednesday to lead two football teams of young people from either side of the border out for a special matchday experience.
The Rio Ferdinand Foundation (RFF) partnered with the International Fund for Ireland (IFI) at Sligo Rovers’ grounds to bring together young people aged between 16 and 18 from community projects across the southern border counties and Northern Ireland.
More than 1,000 young people attended the ‘Beyond the Ball’ event, including teenagers from Sligo and Leitrim as well as from Belfast, Omagh, Derry and Donegal.
“I think we all recognise that supporting young people to achieve their potential, regardless of background, is the key to building a better future,” said Ferdinand.
Rio Ferdinand and Paddy Harte, chair of the IFI, with Phoebe Wallace from Enniskillen and Torry Sloan from Omagh. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile
“The Rio Ferdinand Foundation is committed to delivering projects that give young people the confidence, skills and platform to achieve that aim by offering positive activities, training, and opportunities to build networks, relationships, and careers across Ireland and the UK.
“This partnership with the International Fund for Ireland brings together young people, communities and strategic partners to work together and shape new initiatives, relationships and networks across the border counties of Ireland, Northern Ireland and Great Britain by linking up with our projects in Manchester and London.
“It’s been a privilege to spend time here in Sligo and the west of Ireland to meet young people, families and stakeholders from all parts of Ireland to see what they are achieving within the project.
“I look forward to seeing the Beyond The Ball project develop in the coming months and to seeing what we can achieve working together to enable these young people to reach their potential in Ireland and Northern Ireland by sharing experiences and learning with young people in England.”
Rio Ferdinand and Paddy Harte, chair of the IFI, with Phoebe Wallace from Enniskillen and Torry Sloan from Omagh. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile
The ‘Beyond the Ball’ matchday was also supported by equality advocate Paul Canoville, the first black player to play for Chelsea FC, and former Northern Ireland footballer Gerry Armstrong.
Female players also joined a women’s empowerment session with TV personality Kate Ferdinand, Sligo Rovers’ Emma Hansberry and Linfield FC captain Ashley Hutton.
The day’s initiative was part of a major partnership approach to peacebuilding and cross-community reconciliation funded through the IFI’s Communities in Partnership Programme.
The Beyond the Ball programme has seen an overall investment of €628,850 which included an initial pilot scheme in 2023.
Thirty-two young people walked out on the pitch on matchday, with organisers keeping the details of the famous attendees firmly under wraps.
A further 300 young people, their families, and youth workers from eight counties across the island of Ireland were transported to The Showgrounds to support from the stands and take part in activities during the day.
