Parents for Claudy Youth Football Team calling for help

Local parents from Claudy are appealing for support to set up a youth football team in the village, promoting sporting opportunities in the community.

Claudy residents and parents are urged to get involved as volunteers on both the coaching and committee sides are essential to make the idea a reality.

SDLP Councillor Declan Norris, Faughan representative on Derry City and Strabane District Council expressed his support for the project.

“Setting up a local youth football team would be a great initiative for Claudy and the surrounding areas.

“This is a community with lots of families with children, who take part in sports like football in their local schools, and would like to be able to take part in a team in their area, which can compete in local leagues and cup competitions.

“We know that taking part in sports at a young age is hugely beneficial for young people, improving both their physical and mental health, teaching them teamwork and resilience and letting them develop their self-confidence.

“It would also bring the local community together, providing opportunities for parents and others to get involved in coaching and fundraising to support the team.

“I’m willing to work with anybody to help this project come to fruition and look forward to further meetings with parents and others in the community to establish this team for young people in the area.”

Claudy parents, with the backing from elected representatives, are hoping to set up a meeting to discuss local interest in the proposed team.

Audrey Deery, a local parent of two boys, is passionate about the campaign: “I have been speaking to local councillors, trying to see if a football club could come out to Claudy from Derry or Eglinton to run some training sessions here.

“A lot of kids are now established in other clubs so it is difficult to set up a club here.

“We used to have a club here before Covid but that stopped and didn’t begin back, then about a year and half ago there was a meeting with the IFA with the hope of setting up a youth football club.

“I then contacted the adult football club in Claudy to see if they could set up a kids team without a response yet, then was in touch with Declan Norris, who suggested setting up another meeting.

“To set up a committee, we need quite a few parents to get involved and people to coach each age group.

“We need parents to put their names forward to help, we are appealing for them to become involved either in a coaching capacity or becoming part of the committee.”

Anyone who is interested in getting in touch to volunteer their help should email audeery@hotmail.com.

A Futsal club, five a side indoor football with high intensity, runs regularly in Claudy and more information can be found on Claudy Futsal’s Facebook page.

The Irish FA Derry and Strabane Grassroots Football are hosting a six-week Futsal programme beginning in January at Templemore Sports Complex.