Community sporting organization Street Soccer NI has secured a £1000 Power NI Brighter Communities funding package. Organisers are using the grant to purchase new kit for their Ladies team members
Street Soccer NI runs weekly football sessions in Belfast and Derry~Londonderry for men and women from disadvantaged backgrounds as well as a Learning Disability initiative and a further Coleraine based project. The team are passionate about transforming lives through football and are currently helping over 150 people across all their programmes which aim to bring positive change by tackling homelessness, unemployment, addiction and mental health issues.
In addition to weekly training and match sessions, Street Soccer NI organises trips and tournaments including representation at the Homeless World Cup. Local competitors have competed in countries across the globe including Poland, Chile, Norway and Mexico and closer to home in Scotland, Wales and England.
Lianne Mulholland from Street Soccer NI said, “We’re thrilled to have received a Brighter Communities grant from Power NI to provide playing kit for everyone who plays on our women’s teams. I know all the girls are really looking forward to receiving their new gear. Our Power NI funding award is helping us continue our work in tackling issues including homelessness, addiction, mental health issues and social isolation.
“Our ladies group was established over five years ago and all the women enjoy a great bond and friendship with one another which goes far beyond the football pitch. The players train twice a week and play a range of friendly matches as well as getting the opportunity to travel and take part in tournaments throughout the UK and worldwide.
Congratulating Street Soccer NI on their funding award, Power NI’s Ashleigh O’Neill said:
“Sport and in this case football, is a great unifier and helps bring some of Northern Ireland’s more disadvantaged and vulnerable people together with a sense of purpose helping them achieve goals and success both on and off the pitch. Street Soccer NI does a wonderful job and generates a positive and lasting impact for many of its participants.”
Power NI first introduced the Brighter Communities initiative back in April 2018. Since then it has supported a huge range of bespoke groups and clubs from wheelchair basketball, beekeepers, vintage cyclists and young cheerleaders to street soccer, dragon racers, Early Years, environmental and stroke recovery groups.
