Coleraine FC launches free football programme for local children

placeholder image — Benny The Bannsider | Coleraine FC

The free programme, backed by principal sponsor Fibrus, aims to provide local children with the opportunity to get involved in football, develop their skills, build confidence and enjoy being active in a welcoming and inclusive environment.

COLERAINE FC were delighted to launch the Benny 200 Roadshow in partnership with principal sponsor Fibrus.

This free programme will provide local children with the opportunity to get involved in football, develop their skills, build confidence and enjoy being active in a welcoming and inclusive environment.

Each stop on the roadshow will feature two one-hour sessions, catering for children aged 5–8 and 9–12, ensuring activities are suitable for different age groups and abilities.

With a maximum of 25 children per group, the programme will offer up to 50 participant places at each location and the potential to engage with up to 500 children across all 10 stops.

The Benny 200 Roadshow reflects the club’s commitment to making football accessible to more young people, strengthening community connections and creating positive opportunities for children and families to enjoy the game together.

Head of Community Football at Coleraine FC, David McDaid, said: “We are delighted to launch the Benny 200 Roadshow and the fantastic work being done to bring football directly into communities across the area.

“The roadshow is a brilliant way of making the game accessible to everyone, giving young people the chance to get involved, develop their skills and, most importantly, have fun in a positive environment.

“Football has always had the power to bring people together, and initiatives like this are a perfect example of that. By taking free coaching sessions into local communities, the Benny 200 Roadshow removes barriers to participation and ensures that children and families can enjoy the benefits of right on their doorstep.

“As a club, we understand the importance of creating opportunities for young people to engage with football. Whether it inspires a love of the game, helps build confidence, or simply gives children a chance to spend time being active with their friends, these experiences can have a lasting impact.”

Colin Hutchinson, Managing Director of Fibrus, said: “The Benny 200 Roadshow is a fantastic initiative from Coleraine FC, and we’re thrilled to be part of it. By helping young people get active, build confidence and enjoy football, it’s exactly the kind of project that reflects Fibrus’s commitment to our local communities.

“As well as backing the roadshow through our sponsorship, we will be providing goody bags and internet safety booklets for participants. By sharing practical guidance, we hope to equip children and their parents with the skills and knowledge they need to navigate the online world safely and confidently.”

Speaking about the exciting launch, Coleraine FC CEO Dale Pryde-MacDonald, added: “It’s great to bring something different to our community engagement with the roadshow. I have previously said that ‘it is up to us to go to people and not wait for people to come to us’ and the roadshow, with the massive support of Fibrus, allows us to do that.

“David McDaid has done a fantastic job of pulling it all together, and the quality of our relationship with Fibrus, makes this a really exciting project and hopefully hundreds of youngsters across our local area will enjoy what is to come.

“We have a real opportunity here to build relationships, grow our reach and work with Fibrus to build a strong presence across our area, that is vital and brings to life the word ‘community’.

“Over the course of the next few months there is no doubt that new Bannsiders will be found and the dates for the roadshow will be memorable occasions.”

The roadshows will take place at the following locations from 12pm-1pm (5-8 years-old) and 1.10pm-2.10pm (9-12 years-old):