(L-R) Phil Melville (Irish FA Foundation Regional Grassroots Development Officer), Gavin Doran (Business Manager of McKinstry Road McDonald’s) and Ryan Brown (Irish FA Coach), pictured with children participating in the Fun Football Centre.

McDonald’s has welcomed children back to its popular Fun Football Centre for the wider Lisburn area at Tolerton Sports Zone.

McDonald’s relaunched its Fun Football Centres in Northern Ireland in May as Covid-19 restrictions began to ease.

 The Fun Football Centres are delivered in partnership with the Irish FA Foundation and provide children in Northern Ireland with the opportunity to try football for the first time. McDonald’s is urging parents to register their children for one of the upcoming centres.

The sessions are free and are currently available to children aged between five and eight. Each participant receives a Fun Football Activity Book. 

 Former Northern Ireland international Aaron Hughes, the Irish FA’s Elite Football Development Consultant, said: “McDonald’s Fun Football is a great starting point for boys and girls who would like to play football. They can learn about the game in a relaxed and fun environment.”

Marissa Callaghan, captain of the Northern Ireland senior women’s team, who recently qualified for the Women’s Euros in 2022, pointed out: “We want kids to enjoy playing the game and these interactive sessions are a great way to introduce them to football. They are shown the basics while having lots of fun.”

Through the McDonald’s Fun Football programme more than 75,000 children from across Northern Ireland will benefit from 250,000 hours of coaching, games and fun by 2022.  

This year McDonald’s celebrates 30 years in Northern Ireland as well as the 20th anniversary of the McDonald’s Irish FA Grassroots Football Awards, which recognise the incredible work and commitment of football clubs and volunteers who give up their time and make a long-lasting impact on young people in Northern Ireland.

For more information or to register for a McDonald’s Fun Football Centre in Northern Ireland, visit www.irishfa.com.