Minister asked to assist soccer club secure pitch

Minister asked to assist soccer club secure pitch

2 February 2022

STORMONT Education Minister Michelle McIlveen has been asked to play a key role in a bid by Ballynahinch Olympic Football Club to secure the use of a school pitch in the town for home games.

Discussions to allow the soccer club to use a pitch at The High School Ballynahinch on the Belfast Road started several years ago with progress on drawing up a partnership arrangement to allow the proposal to come to fruition disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic.

Last Friday, Ms McIlveen met with the school principal, Mr Paul Marks, and representatives from the football club to learn more about the proposal during a visit to the town.

Joining them were representatives from the school’s Board of Governors, Strangford MP Jim Shannon and local councillors Billy Walker, Terry Andrews and Cathy Mason.

Mr Shannon said Ballynahinch was known for its strong community relations and also those between schools and sports clubs.

He said if Ballynahinch Olympic could secure permission to use the high school’s sports pitches for its home games, it would further strengthen relations in the town.

“I hope that the Education Authority will be able to facilitate the football club’s request to use the school pitch and the commitment by the Education Minister towards this end is welcome,” Mr Shannon continued.

“It is crucial that Ballynahinch Olympic has a permanent home and that the high school has better sporting opportunities.”

Mr Shannon described last Friday’s meeting with Ms McIlveen as a “step in the right direction” and looked forward to further discussions.

Cllr Walker said Ms McIlveen was asked to visit last week and meet with Ballynahinch Olympic officials after he and Cllr Andrews were contacted by Cllr Mason about the pitch sharing proposal which had been around for several years.

He said that before Christmas he and Cllr Andrews met with club officials and reaffirmed their support for what he described as a cross-community proposal.

“Last week’s meeting between all the various parties was ‘positive and productive’ and I and others recognise that what is being proposed is good for Ballynahinch,” Cllr Walker continued.

“What is being suggested makes sense and I hope that the Education Authority and Department of Education will weigh in with their support. It will be good for Ballynahinch Olympic to play their home games in their own town which they cannot do at present.”

Cllr Walker said following last week’s meeting, Ms McIlveen will now discuss the issue with her officials and he is hoping for a positive outcome.

He added: “The proposal by Ballynahinch Olympic to use the school can only be good for the town and is an example of the good community relations that exist.”