O’Neill presents certificates to clubs

This ensures clubs have appropriate facilities in place in terms of coach education, safety, child protection, refereeing, volunteering and administration. Forty five clubs per year receive assistance and support, including coaching bursaries, equipment and coach mentoring through the programme.

Last week Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill paid a visit to Londonderry to present certificates to two local football clubs who all successfully completed the McDonald’s Irish FA Accreditation process. They included, Trojans FC and Tristar FC.

Michael O’Neill commented: “I was delighted to meet representatives from Trojans and Tristar clubs and congratulate them on completing the Accreditation process.

“McDonald’s Club Accreditation Scheme with the Irish FA is a welcome boost for grassroots football in Northern Ireland; it raises standards for local clubs by providing a benchmark for quality and demonstrates to players, parents and volunteers that the club has qualified coaches, is child friendly and safe.

“At McDonald’s we are committed to helping young footballers shine and the new Club Accreditation Scheme will certainly help us in doing this.”