GLASGOW Celtic Soccer Academy has added Ballymun United FC to its International Club Partnership Programme giving local youngsters an opportunity to experience life as an academy player at a top club.
The new initiative, launched earlier this month in United’s complex beside IKEA, will also involve the sharing of club methodologies, coach education and coaching camps.
The arrangement also means United can send coaches to Celtic to attend the Scottish champion’s renowned International Coaches Convention in Glasgow and receive a behind the scenes look at how Celtic develops young players to reach their potential.
Ballymun United boasts a membership of over 300 and their hard work and dedication was a major factor in Celtic Soccer Academy choosing them as its newest club partner.
Chairperson of Ballymun United FC, James Dunne, said his club was delighted with the academy link-up.
“For the first time I feel Ballymun United FC is being treated as an equal partner and we have found a club that shares a common goal,” he said.
“This partnership agreement will help propel ´The Mun´ to even higher levels as we launch Celtic camps and coach education seminars in the coming months.
“The provision of trial places and exchange visits for our teams will provide our players with even greater opportunities as they move forward with their careers.
“We look forward to working with Celtic FC as we continue our development and maintain our position as one of the best clubs in the country.”
Ballymun United is the oldest sports organisation in the area and celebrates 50 years in 2018. Head of Youth Development at the local club, Patrick Duffy, described Celtic as “a powerful brand’ to be associated with.
“Celtic FC are a club that take part annually in the Champions League with a long history of Irish support,” he added.
“It will be of great benefit to our players and coaches to gain further knowledge of the game at the highest level.”
The agreement will see Celtic provide staff to Ballymun United at specific times throughout the year to deliver player-development coaching sessions and a range of age and stage-specific coach education.
The young players at Ballymun United will also have the opportunity to catch the eye of the Celtic coaches, with the potential to then travel to Glasgow for further evaluation.
It will also give Celtic a chance to make a massive footprint in Ballymun, which is a renowned hotbed for young soccer players.
Celtic FC’s International Soccer Academy Manager, Tony Massie, said his club was delighted to add Ballymun United FC to its International Club Partnership Programme.
“It again emphasises our commitment to building relationships across the globe,” he added. “Ballymun United FC is a very ambitious and progressive club and we are looking forward to a long and prosperous partnership with them.”
Ballymun Sinn Féin Councillor, Noeleen Reilly, congratulated Ballymun United on the “historic deal”.
“Ballymun United are an integral part of the community in Ballymun,” she said.
“This deal is a testament to all the hard work done by volunteers in the club over the decades, which has often gone unrecognised.”