Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland footballer inspires children to become 'more active, more of the time'

Pictured at the Department for Communities' annual Celebration of Sport event at Antrim Forum are pupils from Moneynick Primary School with Belfast Giant Josh Roach, the Department's Permanent Secretary Colum Boyle, and Northern Ireland footballer Joely Andrews
Pictured at the Department for Communities' annual Celebration of Sport event at Antrim Forum are pupils from Moneynick Primary School with Belfast Giant Josh Roach, the Department's Permanent Secretary Colum Boyle, and Northern Ireland footballer Joely Andrews
By Marie Louise McConville

Northern Ireland soccer player Joely Andrews has helped inspire 700 primary school pupils to become `more active, more of the time' at the Department for Communities’ Celebration of Sport event.

One of the Belfast Giants, Josh Roach, also took part in the gathering at Antrim Forum on Friday.

During the event, children were able to participate in more than 30 indoor and outdoor sporting activities, including boxing, football, cricket, GAA, hockey, rugby, martial arts, netball, volleyball, canoeing and wheelchair basketball.

The annual event promotes physical wellbeing and encourages young people of all abilities and from different backgrounds to participate in and appreciate the wider benefits of sport.

Andrews, who starred at last summer’s UEFA Euro 2022 finals in England and attended the event on behalf of the Irish FA, said she believes it is "important to highlight the benefits of sport to young people.

"It’s important we pass on that love and appreciation of sport to primary school kids and I was delighted, alongside all the other guests, to help do that in such a fun and practical way at this year’s Celebration of Sport".