Lisnaskea girls are in a league of their own

07 Feb 2020

Davey Wheeler Vice Chairman of Lisnaskea Rovers, Jessica Connolly, Roy Carroll Ex Northern Ireland Goalkeeper, Gerda Walmsley Girls Coach Lisnaskea Rovers, Annette McCarney (Housing Executive)

Lisnaskea Rovers Football Club welcomed former Manchester United and Northern Ireland goalkeeper Roy Carroll to their club to celebrate the success of their 'Soccer in the Community Project', funded by the Housing Executive.

Starting in November, the 'Soccer in the Community Project' was aimed at girls aged between 9 and 15-years-old, to help improve their physical and mental health by getting involved in sports within their community.

Coinciding with Children’s Mental Health Week, the project was a huge success and the girls were delighted to receive their medals and certificates from a Northern Ireland footballing legend.

Gerda Walmsley, Coach with the Lisnaskea Rovers football club said: “This funding was aimed to promote health and well-being in these young girls to help improve physical health and to improve their mood to enable them to make healthier choices in their lives.

“Girls who play sport learn teamwork and goal setting skills, and builds self-confidence, our girls bonded with girls from all different backgrounds and cultures, through team bonding.”

Oonagh McAvinney, the Housing Executive’s South West Area Manager, added: “We are delighted with the success of this project and the impact it has had on the girls who got involved.

“It is crucial to teach girls about the importance of exercise and wellbeing from such a young age and we hope to be able to support similar projects in the future.”