John O'Shea's day with the Foundation!

As a list of just some of John’s achievements from his playing career were reeled off inside a conference hall at Ulster University one April afternoon, a celebratory mood filled the air – not just to recognise this legendary Red, but also to mark a day of great pride for all those involved with Manchester United Foundation.

John had spent the day with the Foundation over in Northern Ireland, taking part in a training session with participants from the community football programme, Street Reds, before joining a youth panel – speaking to youngsters about their time with the Foundation and sharing his own perspectives and experiences of higher education.

Accompanying some of the numbers heralded of John’s glittering career were further impressive figures, albeit of a different kind – showcasing the impact the Foundation has made over the course of the last seven years, when its partnership work in Derry-Londonderry, alongside Ulster University, first began.

The Foundation helps young people to build a better life for themselves and unite the communities it serves – across both Greater Manchester and now also Derry-Londonderry since the launch of this first overseas partnership in 2018, with more than 1,500 young lives positively impacted in the intervening years.

“To see the work of Manchester United Foundation in Northern Ireland and what the coaches bring to the schools and the communities has been amazing,” said John, a long-term advocate of the Foundation, having previously represented Legends teams in fundraising matches and visited projects back in Manchester.

“We know there’s a pulling power of Manchester United all over the world, but also, there’s an appreciation seeing the Foundation coaches on the ground level and the effort they’re putting in to improve kids’ lives. It’s brilliant.”

COACHED BY A LEGEND

Now the Republic of Ireland assistant coach, the group of young people who welcomed John into their football session that morning was able to call on his abundant skill and expertise.

Coaching the youngsters and offering them some advice, as well as getting involved himself for the kickabout – with lots of smiles and laughs in between – John set the tone for a memorable day, as the sun shone down brightly on Ulster’s Magee Campus.

The buzz in the air was certainly one felt by those taking part – as Daniel, a pupil at Oakgrove Integrated College, explained: “John O’Shea came, it’s mad! It was class having him here. He was kind, friendly, and it was great to meet him.

“I got to play against him, which felt weird! But it’s great, I loved it.”

Bryanne, also a pupil at Oakgrove, echoed that sentiment and revealed how having the support of the Foundation helps her: “We did a couple of drills; we played dodgeball, then learned a couple of skills and played in matches against each other – it was really good, and a good experience to meet John O’Shea.

“He came to the session today and it was very good. I was very excited! Working with the Foundation gives me more confidence and it’s a good experience to meet new friends and learn new skills.

“It gives you confidence by speaking to new people and making new friends.”

WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP

Since the partnership launch in 2018, the Foundation has developed a network of partner schools, including having full-time officers based in Oakgrove Integrated College and St Joseph’s Boys’ School.

Weekly Street Reds sessions also offer free playing opportunities to youngsters at two sites in the city. Representatives from partner organisations were all present for the celebration with O’Shea, as a conference followed the morning’s physical activity session. Those guests were, of course, keen to hear from the former Red, but also those positively affected by the Foundation.

One such example is Bobby, a more senior student at Oakgrove, whose growth has coincided with the evolution of the Foundation’s work in Derry-Londonderry.

“I’ve sort of grown up through the Foundation – all I’ve known through my secondary education is Manchester United Foundation,” said Bobby, who now also volunteers as a coach at inclusive football sessions delivered by the Foundation.

“What I do now with the Foundation, as a volunteer, it makes me feel really fulfilled. Whenever I do it, it gives me a sense of hope, knowing that there is something there that can change people’s lives.”

“As a Man United fan, you look at all the legends and don’t think of them as normal people – but John came over, sat down beside me, asked my name and shook my hand,” Bobby continued, speaking of O’Shea’s impact on him.

“You get chatting to him and he’s the soundest fella, too. It's important people can relate to that, so they can think that getting to that level of success isn’t untouchable, it’s right there in front of them.”

The growth of the Foundation on Irish shores is only set to continue, thanks to a new partnership with the International Fund for Ireland [IFI]. The Uniting Communities programme will make a positive difference to further young people and communities with plans for cross-border provision, including a new school partnership with Rosses Community School in County Donegal in the Republic of Ireland.

“Coming over to Ireland has been fantastic,” O’Shea concluded. “Whether it’s socially, physically or mentally, if you’re helping a kid then it’s brilliant to be a part of it and to see the Foundation continue that great work is brilliant. [Now] there are more kids getting the opportunity to benefit from that and have a better chance in life.”