Manchester United scores Northern Ireland school partnership with John O'Shea

MCRJourno

Manchester United legend and longstanding supporter of the club's Foundation joined students on the pitch to celebrate a partnership in Northern Ireland.

John O’Shea joined young players before attending a partnership conference where he spoke about his career, education and support of Manchester United Foundation.

The event took place at Ulster University to showcase its ongoing outreach work across Derry-Londonderry and mark a new partnership with the International Fund for Ireland (IFI).

After taking part in a football session with pupils from the Foundation’s two partner schools John O’Shea spoke about the impact of such programmes.

He said: "Any chance you get to improve kids’ lives, to help out kids in the community and to give them encouragement to grow their confidence - whether it’s socially, mentally or physically, if you’re helping a kid then it’s brilliant to be a part of it."

Manchester United Foundation launched its first overseas partnership with Ulster University in 2018 - offering students the opportunity to develop business and entrepreneurial skills - and has since developed a network of schools and impacting the lives of over 1,500 young people across Derry-Londonderry.

Manchester United Foundation CEO John Shiels addressed stakeholders and representatives from across Northern Ireland and a panel of students spoke at the event.

John Shiels said: "Thanks to a new collaboration with IFI, we are now able to expand our work here, as well as taking our provision across the border into the Republic of Ireland.

"We strive to continue our mission of providing young people with unique opportunities and experiences through the power of Manchester United, and to encourage them to make better life choices."