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| Seaview Enterprises Ltd teams up with NI Schools FA... |
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Seaview Enterprises Ltd teams up with the NI Schools FA to offer a free invitation to the Northern Ireland Vs Australia schools football international. Recent Social Economy Network member, Seaview Enterprises Ltd (the social economy business of Crusaders Football Club) recently teamed up with the NI Schools FA to offer a free invitation to the Northern Ireland Vs Australia schools football international to Seaview Stadium, Shore Road, Belfast. The match, on Wednesday 27January 2010, attracted over 800 school children to Seaview and demonstrated the ability of Seaview Enterprises to host a prestige fixture. The showpiece match, sponsored by Ulster Bank, was also assisted by the IFAs “Football for All” project and the”Unite Against Hate” project and the North Belfast Partnership Board.The event was open to schools, community groups and interested individuals. Many local schools met Crusaders player Martin Donnelly (himself a full Northern Ireland cap) and Michael Collins who showed off to excited school pupils the County Antrim Shield and Irish Cup trophies. Teachers were also able to access stalls in the Crusaders FC social club (upstairs) run by Football for All and Unite against Hate offering Resource packs and “giveaways” particularly aimed at teachers interested in tackling sectarianism and racism through sport. Mark Langhammer, Secretary of Seaview Enterprises, commented: “The recent installation of a state of the art, “4G” artificial surface has allowed us to open up Seaview stadium to the public. Instead of relying on matchday income once or twice a fortnight, we are now taking rental bookings from clubs, sorts organisations and schools. Local Irish League football needs to diversify its income streams to survive in a competitive leisure market – and our efforts to insensify the usage of our Stadium is vital to our future. We recently reviewed our club governance and concluded that a separate social enterprise company, focussed on improving stadium income streams was the way forward. This prestige match enabled us to showcase our venue to over 30 schools, as well as to develop a valued link with the Schools FA. The assistance we have received through the Social Entrepreneurship Programme and from the Network is encouraging.” More information about booking the 4G pitch at Seaview, contact Mark Sweeney at: 07919 897822 or visit www.seaview4g.com |