Shannon supports Ballynhinch High School accessing Olympic Park football pitch
Strangford MP Jim Shannon met with Education Minister Michelle McIlveen and Councillors Billy Walker, Cathy Mason and Terry Andrews at Ballynahinch High School to discuss the possibility of Ballynahinch Olympic FC using Olympic Park pitch as their home pitch. Principal Paul Marks was also in attendance. last Friday as momentum for the move gathers pace.
Mr Shannon said: “The discussion on the partnership of The High School and Olympic Park has been ongoing for some years, following a meeting with the Education Authority in relation to this proposal.
“Ballynahinch is a town where communities all mix well and have strong, positive relationships, and this includes the relationship between local schools and Olympic Park football ground. There is an opportunity now for more advanced work to be done on this to benefit both the school and and the sporting communities. It could be a win-win.
“I do hope that the appropriate preparation can be undertaken by the EA to facilitate this and the ongoing commitments by the Education Minister are welcomed. It is crucial that Ballynahinch Olympic FC have a permanent home and, furthermore, that The Ballynahinch High School have better sporting opportunities.
“I believe Friday’s meeting was a step in the right direction and I look forward to further discussions around this matter to benefit young pupils across Ballynahinch.”
Slieve Croob Councillor Cathy Mason said: “I was delighted to attend a meeting between Ballynahinch Olympic FC and the Education Minister last week.
“Ballynahinch Olympic have a rich history and have enjoyed many successes especially in recent times, yet it is unfortunate that they don’t have a facility in Ballynahinch that they can call their home pitch.
“The Minister was indeed positive about exploring options of a partnership between the High School in Ballynahinch and the club with the support of other agencies.
“Hopefully soon we will see Ballynahinch Olympic securing a home in the near future, to allow them to facilitate their thriving youth structures and hugely successful senior squad.
Rowallene Cllr Billy Walker also attended the meeting and said: “At the moment Ballynahinch Olympic play at the Kilmore Playing fields in Crossgar. Last October Councillors Terry Andrews, Cathy Mason and myself raised the issue of helping Ballynahinch Olympic with the Education Minister, exploring the idea of accessing Olympic Park. This would be a much more suitable venue for their matches and training sessions.
“Because of the pressures of Covid, the momentum for this initiative slid a little, but we are back on track again. Minister McIlveen seems interested and maybe a lease could be sorted out to get Ballynahinch Olympic settled into Olympic Park. It would be a very good partnership and benefit the whole community of Ballynahinch.”
Ballynahinch Olympic play in the senior Northern Amateur Football League and enjoy a thriving youth soccer scene.
