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Ballinamallard United GR WHITE & SON LTD ELECTRICAL CONTRACTS We are highly respected and experienced electrical contractors. Services • Electrical Services • External Lighting • Highways Maintenance • Inspection & Test • Facilities Management Tel: +44 (0)28 8954 1359 www.grwhiteelectrical.co.uk 43 Main Street, Tempo, Fermanagh, BT94 3LU “We were relegated from the Premiership last season, won the first match of this season and lost the next nine, we were rooted to the bottom for a period, but have now made the top six, hopefully we’ll finish fifth, but the Irish Cup run has been great for the club and community. At this stage we probably want the season to continue! “Youth football is the bedrock of our club, we have about 300 young people participating every Saturday morning either at training at the club or playing for one of the many youth teams. Our Academy is led by an academy director, we have a Football Development Centre co- ordinator and a Youth committee. Many of our senior players come through the youth academy, it can also be a stepping stone for them to greater opportunities in Great Britain or beyond. “The Youth Academy Director and Youth co-ordinator have a very positive relationship with the First Team Manager. The under 18s and Under 20s regularly train with the senior team, which means they are mixing well throughout the year. “We are very much a community club, all those involved are volunteers, the club were awarded ‘The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service’ in 2016, which demonstrates the level of community involvement. Many of those involved with the club are also involved in many other organisations within the area, like scouts, schools, churches, community associations and other sports. “The biggest challenges for us moving forwards will be maintaining the high level of commitment from our volunteering base, seeking further income, retaining our good young talent and attracting players from outside our catchment area, which is the rural western area of Northern Ireland. “Our ambitions are to win a major competition, obtain promotion to the Irish League Premiership again, continue to improve and develop our young players through improved coaching and discipline.” www.footballfocusmag.com 15