Minister discusses soccer issues with new IFA President

Minister for Sport Edwin Poots MLA has met with new IFA President Raymond Kennedy to discuss a wide range of soccer issues.

Congratulating Mr Kennedy on his recent appointment the Minister said that he looked forward to working with him and the IFA for the future good of football in Northern Ireland.

Speaking after the meeting the Minister said: “I welcomed this early opportunity to meet with Raymond Kennedy to discuss a number of important issues facing local soccer. Central to our discussion was the £8 million Soccer Strategy initiative. To date around £3 million has been spent from the budget. I also welcomed the opportunity to pursue with him the IFA plans for taking the Soccer Strategy forward.

Other issues discussed included the impact of the Safety at Sports Grounds legislation, the introducing of new legislation to tackle football offences, the training of match stewards and the IFA’s own five year strategy for the development of the sport in Northern Ireland.

“Since coming into office I have had the opportunity to visit grounds at Coleraine and Ballymena, but I want to spend more time over the next few months visiting other club grounds around Northern Ireland so I gain a first-hand understanding of the issues facing clubs. I also hope to get to at least one of the Milk Cup matches next week and wish the organizers and teams good luck for the tournament.”

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