Housing Executive helps Bridge Association claim the George Best Community Cup

02 Aug 2023

We are the Champions: celebrating with the winners of the George Best Community Cup 2023 are Housing Executive’s South Antrim Good Relations Officer Stephen Gamble and Joint Managing Directors of Bridge Association in Antrim, Jacqueline Barnes (far left, back row) and David Edmont (second from the right, back row)

Trainees at Antrim’s Bridge Association scored a life-time football goal this summer, thanks to a community involvement grant worth £2000 from the Housing Executive.

Participating in the George Best Community Cup, a soccer competition catering for players with learning disabilities, the five-a-side squad from the organisation are newly crowned champions.

Held at the Billy Neil Complex in Dundonald in Belfast, hundreds of players took part in the competition from across the UK in what proved to be an unforgettable sporting experience.

David Edmont Joint Managing Director, Bridge Association, said:

“Our organisation provides vocational, work-based, educational training for adults with a learning disability and participating in the George Best Community Cup gave us a fantastic opportunity to showcase our skills on the football field.

“I could not be prouder of our team – they’re all still buzzing with their win and we sang We are the Champions the whole way home.

“I would like to sincerely thank the Housing Executive for helping us take part, as those with learning disabilities aren’t often given the same opportunities as others.”

Stephen Gamble, the Housing Executive’s Good Relations Officer for South Antrim, said;

“We are delighted to help the Bridge association via our community involvement grants and I know that other parts of the Housing Executive including supporting people and the social enterprise departments have a long standing relationship with the group.”

“Bridge Association are known to members of the Housing Community Network in Antrim for the services they provide.

“We’re always willing to support projects which impact positively on our tenants and the wider community.

“I wish them every success with future plans for their new building and the opportunities this will offer their trainees.”

Bridge Association’s social enterprise work includes an on-site shop selling hand made products from their trainees.

The George Best Community Cup Competition is delivered by the Irish Football Association with support from the George Best Foundation, Cash for Kids and the Mary Peters Trust.