Fermanagh Club Lakeland Special Olympics has won the prestigious Disability Football Club of the Year Award at the 2015 McDonald’s Irish FA Community Awards in Belfast City Hall. Fermanagh man James Farrell was presented with the award by Jimmy Nicholl, Northern Ireland Assistant Manager; who joined Pat Jennings, McDonald’s Head of Northern Ireland Football at the awards ceremony.
Established in 2006, Lakeland Special Olympics Club meets twice a week at the Lakeland Forum in Enniskillen. The club offers athletics and football training sessions each week; with up to 40 footballers attending coaching sessions on a Saturday morning at Lakeland Forum. The club is for both males and females, aged 7 and over and caters for those with learning disabilities. The club has enjoyed a successful year both on and off the pitch with increasing membership and volunteer numbers. They really are an inspirational success story for Enniskillen and beyond.
Speaking after collecting the award, James said: “To be nominated for an award was special but to go on and win it is incredible. It’s been a pleasure to help develop and nurture footballing talent at Lakeland Special Olympics Club. Thank you to everyone who nominated me!”
Pat Jennings, McDonald’s Head of Northern Ireland Football, said: “The McDonald’s Irish FA Community Awards is our way of saying thank you to the coaches, clubs and volunteers who give up their time to help young footballers across Northern Ireland shine.
“Everyone that has been nominated for an award this year has shown outstanding commitment to their local community and I’d like to extend my congratulations to James and all the nominees for their fantastic achievements in local football.”
The Awards are an important part of McDonald’s Community Partnership with the Irish FA. The partnership seeks to raise the standards at grassroots clubs through better safety, better advice, better kit, better support and better recognition for volunteers..
To find out more about McDonald’s grassroots football visit www.mcdonalds.co.uk/betterplay
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