A FORMER Chelsea player was one of the speakers at this week’s Youth in Action programme delivered in Enniskillen by the Rio Ferdinand Foundation.

Former Chelsea winger Paul Canoville delivered a mental health and resilience workshop as part of the week’s programme and took part in a question and answer session.

Paul was Chelsea FC’s first black player, and suffered significant racist abuse from within the game of football, both on and off the pitch. Now, having recently recovered from illness, he is pledging his support to the Youth in Action Programme.

The Enniskillen Youth in Action programme has been taking place this week at Fermanagh Lakeland Forum, from Monday, August 23 through to tomorrow, Friday, August 27.

Delivered by the Rio Ferdinand Foundation in partnership with Fermanagh and Omagh District Council through its Good Relations team, and with support from UEFA, the week-long programme is being attended by young people from the Fermanagh and Omagh areas who are currently participating in an accredited youth leadership qualification.

Speaking earlier this week ahead of arriving in Enniskillen, Paul said: "As we emerge from the Coronavirus pandemic it is more important than ever that we support young people to look after their mental health.

"I am really excited by the Youth In Action programme and the work being done by the Rio Ferdinand Foundation and the UEFA Foundation in empowering young leaders, and I am very much looking forward to being in Enniskillen and working with these inspirational young people.’

The Youth in Action programme empowers young people to take a lead in tackling inequality, xenophobia and racism in their communities.

The programme in Enniskillen has been an opportunity for participants to hear from Paul’s experiences, as well as to undertake a Community Sports Leaders accreditation.

Young people also had the opportunity to take part in media training and a film-making workshop, delivered by the Rio Ferdinand Foundation.

The workshop taught young people digital skills whilst giving them the opportunity to be heard, and express their voices on racism and society.

The activity in Enniskillen is concluding with a cross-Border football tournament tomorrow, Friday, August 27, attended by Northern Ireland International Ashley Hutton.

With more than 110 caps for Northern Ireland, he will join Rio Ferdinand Foundation Chief Executive Officer Gary Stannett as a spectator as young people from the programme take on a team from Rio Ferdinand Foundation projects in the Sligo and Mayo region as a celebration of togetherness.