Newry Leisure Centre was the place to be on Sunday 19 February, as the Well Lane Warriors took on Oxford Bulls and Downs & Proud in the inaugural Football for All tournament.
The tournament, supported by Radius Housing, brought together 45 young people with additional needs and learning disabilities for a day of football fun.
Well Lane Warriors was established September 2021 with the goal of providing facilities and recreation opportunities for children and young people with additional needs, learning disabilities and sensory processing concerns.
The group aims to improve the lives of children and young people from the Newry, Mourne and Down District Council area, promoting physical, mental, and emotional health and well-being, as well as social inclusion.
The Oxford Bulls lifted the tournament trophy, while Downs & Proud were named Team of the Tournament, and the Well Lane Warriors picked up the Spirit of the Tournament Award.
Jessica McMahon, founder and Chairperson of Well Lane Warriors, was delighted to bring the tournament to Newry, and is keen to promote the league to other mixed ability teams.
“This was a very exciting event for everyone involved in the club,” Jessica said. “We saw some really exciting and competitive games, and the standard was really high from all of the participating teams. We are grateful to Radius Housing for all their support in making this tournament possible.”
Joe Galbraith, Housing Manager with Radius Housing, highlighted the importance of supporting local community groups. He said:
“We are delighted to support the Well Lane Warriors in Newry through our Housing for All Good Relations Plan, which aims to promote inclusion within and between communities. This was an opportunity to help bring an important tournament the area and give young people the opportunity to participate in sport, regardless of their ability.”
The Football For All tournament is supported by the Department for Communities and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive’s Housing for All Shared Housing Programme. The Programme has its origins in the NI Executive Together: Building a United Community Strategy which reflects the Executive’s commitment to improving community relations and continuing the journey towards a more united and shared society. A total of £5.4M has been invested in the Radius Ardmore and Rockmount shared housing developments and their associated Good Relations Plans.