By Christopher Jones
McDonald鈥檚 is set to bring its popular Fun Football Festivals back to Northern Ireland this summer.
Starting off in Belfast Grand Central Station on Friday, August 8, the event will return to the beach at the famous Portstewart Strand on Saturday, August 9 and will finish its triple header of events in the shadow of the Mournes in Donard Park, Newcastle on Sunday, August 10.
All of the events are completely free to attend and will run from 11am to 4pm each day. No pre-registration is required.
Introductory sessions with top coaches
Children and families from across Northern Ireland are invited to take part in introductory coaching sessions under the guidance of top football coaches on a pop-up pitch and skills activities including 鈥楽peed of Shot鈥, passing and goalkeeping challenges.
The football-themed family events are helping McDonald鈥檚 celebrate the summer of sport in style, with more kids than ever across the UK feeling inspired to take up football this summer.
The Fun Football Festivals this year will also welcome some very special Fun Football Ambassadors, including Northern Ireland record appearance holder and former captain Steven Davis (to the Portstewart Strand) and legendary goalkeeper Pat Jennings (to Donard Park, Newcastle).
Feel the energy
Paddy Cusack, franchisee at McDonald鈥檚, said McDonald鈥檚 is a proud long-standing supporter of grassroots football in Northern Ireland.
He added: 鈥淚t鈥檚 great for McDonald鈥檚 to be in a position to get behind events like these, and with three great backdrops for the festivals, the events are set to be a real success again this year.
鈥淵ou can always feel the energy at the festivals and it鈥檚 great to see kids benefit from the physical and mental health advantages of playing football in a fun, inclusive and safe space.
鈥淎s a father with young children myself, I know what it鈥檚 like keeping the kids entertained across the summer, and it鈥檚 fantastic that McDonald鈥檚 is able to put on such high-quality events like these, completely free of charge. I would encourage all parents and families to attend their nearest festival.鈥
The Fun Football Festivals are just one part of the McDonald鈥檚 Fun Football programme that will deliver over 10.5 million hours of Fun Football for over one million children by 2026, making it the largest grassroots participation programme in the UK.
The programme is delivered in collaboration with the Irish FA, Scottish FA, The Football Association of Wales and a network of national coaching providers with regular sessions taking place throughout the year, all across the UK.
Sign up now at mcdonalds.com