The Sheffield Wednesday Community Programme have been running a special development project in Southern Ireland to increase playing participation in the area.
The Community Programme has been working with around 60 children, aged 7 – 14, in Wexford in Southern Ireland to develop their football skills, technique and playing ability.
The participants will also get the chance to travel over to Sheffield and showcase their skills to the Sheffield Wednesday Academy coaching staff this August. They will also go behind the scenes at the club, watch a first team match and get the opportunity to play against the club’s development teams.
Working in partnership with organisations Leisuremax, Irelandataclick.com, Bree Utd and the Riverside Park Hotel, the Community Programme has delivered coaching and community activities to local children in the Wexford area for over a year.
Former player for clubs including Stoke, Crewe and Oldham Athletic Aaron Callaghan oversees the sessions and is supported by Aileen O’Connor, Tucker O’Brien and Jimmy O’neil. Coaches from the Community Programme fly out to Ireland every 10 weeks to observe the players development.
Marcus Brameld, Community Manager for the Community Programme, said: “It’s been great to form relationships with areas outside of Sheffield and it’s a great opportunity for the young people to work with the Community Programme and give them a chance to showcase their skills to the Academy staff at the club.
“We look forward to working with them more in the future!”