FOOTBALL: Little and McGinn support Football For All

IFA Head of Community Relations, Michael Boyd, explains why having the players onboard is so important to the promotion of Football For All:

"The IFA is working hard to mainstream and promote Football For All, creating a fun, safe and inclusive culture throughout all levels of the game.

"Northern Ireland teams at all levels have always represented all of the community and this is something our Football For All Advisory Panel, which consists of representatives of fans, players, independent community relations consultants, academics, senior IFA staff, Sport NI and the Community Relations Council, values greatly.

"At our last Football For All Advisory Panel meeting the panel asked us to approach players for their support to highlight the positive Community Relations work going on at international, domestic and grassroots level which doesn't get the acknowledgement or publicity they feel it deserves.

"Having the support of the players will hopefully shine the spotlight on some of the innovative work going in football which promotes Good Relations in the community."

The IFA's EU funded Football For All Community Relations Department is currently working in partnership with the Amalgamation of Official Northern Ireland Supporters' Clubs, all Carling Premiership clubs and a variety of community groups at grassroots levels to promote Good Relations, challenging both racism and sectarianism.

Major Football For All events coming up include the finals of the Big Issue Belfast Street League, the re-launch of the World United intercultural project, a major Football For Youth conference in Lisburn and a Football For All domestic seminar held at Glenavon's Mournview Park.