Man United and England legend Ferdinand joins in celebration of partnership
The partnership of Rio Ferdinand Foundation and the International Fund for Ireland teamed up to deliver a match day experience hosted at Sligo Rovers, The Showgrounds on Wednesday.
Organised by the Rio Ferdinand Foundation, the 'Beyond the Ball' matchday brought together young people aged between 16 and 18 from community projects across the southern border counties and Northern Ireland as part of a major partnership approach to peacebuilding and cross-community reconciliation funded through the IFI's Communities in Partnership Programme (CiPP).
The Beyond the Ball programme is one of the IFI’s most significant funding allocations in recent years with an overall investment of £541,713, which included an initial pilot scheme in 2023.
The former Manchester United and England defender said: “I think we all recognise that supporting young people to achieve their potential regardless of background is the key to building a better future.
"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."
Ferdinand added how important the work is in building relationships:
“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.
"It does that by linking up with our projects in Manchester and London – and 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.”
Paddy Harte, Chair of the International Fund for Ireland, said:
“The IFI’s ‘Communities in Partnership Programme’, which funds the ‘Beyond the Ball’ Project is focused on embedding lasting relationships on a cross-border and cross community basis.
“This collaboration between the IFI and RFF aims to put young people at the heart of their communities, giving them a voice and facilitating opportunities to inform and influence what happens in their communities.
“Football is the vehicle for this project, facilitating opportunities to develop relationships between young people and their peers who they may not otherwise meet whilst accessing a range of vital training and development programmes and qualifications aimed at offering them a path to a more prosperous future.”