The Rio Ferdinand Foundation is to team up with Drogheda United FC to deliver a “Beyond the Ball” community youth project aimed at creating opportunities for 14-18 olds to participate in weekly sports sessions, training, and leadership qualifications throughout the summer holidays.

Many of the young people participating in this programme, which is funded by the International Fund for Ireland, attended a cross-border, cross-community football tournament at Youth Sport in Omagh in April—a tournament organised by Youth Advisory Board Members from previous Beyond the Ball cohorts.

Upon completion of the Beyond the Ball community engagement programme in Drogheda, as a social action project, participants will organise a cross-border tournament for young people from across Ireland, which will take place on August 19th at Sullivan & Lambe Park.

In addition to weekly football sessions, the programme invests in education and training qualifications for young people, building confidence and interpersonal skills and developing pathways to employability. Since the programme's establishment in 2023, just under 1,000 young people from underrepresented areas have participated in weekly education and training sessions, earning skills that empower them to create change within their community.

Reflecting on the latest instalment of the Beyond the Ball programme, Rio Ferdinand, Founder of the Rio Ferdinand Foundation, said: "The Beyond the Ball programme has been a fantastic opportunity for my Foundation to deliver our leadership and community cohesion projects across Northern Ireland and Ireland for the last three years.

"This expansion into County Louth and our partnership with Drogheda United is exciting. To partner with a club that has such a strong connection within its community means we can amplify the project over the coming months.

"I would like to say a big thank you to the staff team at Drogheda who are working with my Foundation to deliver this programme. I look forward to hearing of its success."

Joanna Byne, Chairperson of Drogheda United FC, commented: "For Drogheda United to partner with the Rio Ferdinand Foundation is a great honour. Our visions have aligned on many fronts, with both focused on building communities and empowering young people.

"This partnership allows us to create opportunities and pathways for the youth in our catchment area and affords us a real chance to help aid them in realising their full potential.

"As a club, we are very excited about the impact this can have locally, and we thank all involved in the Rio Ferdinand Foundation for trusting us with this partnership. The future is bright, and we look forward to great things to come as a collective."

Aoife Burns, Football Social Responsibility Officer, Drogheda United FC, added: "This partnership empowers the young people in our community to reach their full potential by creating opportunities and chances to learn new things and engage new ideas."

Shona McCarthy, Chairperson, International Fund for Ireland (IFI) said: “The IFI’s ‘Communities in Partnership Programme’, which funds the ‘Beyond the Ball’ Project is focused on embedding lasting relationships on a cross-border and cross community basis. It is one of the most significant investments by the IFI in recent years.

“The collaboration has been achieved within a framework of sport, with football playing a vital role in helping young people to build positive relationships with peers from cross-border communities and develop the skills to navigate towards a positive and fulfilling future.

“So far Beyond the Ball has engaged with more than 1,000 young people across Donegal, Leitrim, Sligo, Antrim, Tyrone, Fermanagh, and Derry/Londonderry through a range of initiatives and events. We are delighted to see the project rolling out in Louth, building on the momentum today. This final phase marks another important milestone for the project, and I want to commend the participation of all involved and welcome the support provided by Drogheda United FC.”