MR MO-TIVATOR!

Harryville man ‘Mo’ has praised Ballymena Borough Council’s, Community Sport Programme and the Department of Social Development (DSD), who he believes helped make his dream become a reality.

The former Ballymena United winger explains: “I had decided on a career in sport, particularly coaching football and had planned to gain my coaching awards but found it difficult due to the cost.”

In 2010 through the Ballymena Community Sport Programme, Maurice gained his IFA Level 1 Football Coaching Award and IFA ‘C’ Certificate before going on to complete his UEFA ‘B’ Coaching Licence in April 2011.

He said: “On top of that I was gaining lots of coaching experience through the DSD funded Community Sport/IFA Grassroots Football Programme.”

This programme was led by Gary Boyd, Community Sports Development Officer and delivered by Wesley Gregg, the IFA’s Grassroots Development Officer, whose post was also part funded by DSD, in a joint venture between Ballymena Borough Council, Irish FA and DSD, from September 2009 to March 2011.

Maurice says: “Not only has the Community Sport Programme and DSD funding been invaluable for educating coaches, like myself, and providing them with quality coaching experience but it has been so beneficial in getting children from Ballymena Neighbourhood Renewal Area involved in sport from an early age.

“I personally owe a lot to Gary Boyd and Wesley Gregg as well as the DSD, Ballymena Borough Council and the programme as a whole.”

Gary Boyd said: “I think Maurice would agree that without DSD funding and Ballymena Community Sport Programme he would not have been able to gain his post within the IFA.

“However, it is to his credit that he dedicated himself to achieve his dream. Maurice, through his own endeavour, has been willing to listen and learn from his peers and was prepared to undertake whatever was necessary to progress.

“He is a shining example of what can be achieved and on behalf of Ballymena Borough Council’s Development, Leisure and Cultural Services Department I would like to congratulate him on gaining his new post and wish him all the very best in the future.

“I’m sure we can continue to work together in the future for the betterment of all the young people in the Ballymena borough.”