Mayo young people lead the way at Europa League final
The UEFA Foundation and Rio Ferdinand Foundation have collaborated to give young people across Ireland a match-winning opportunity at the upcoming Europa League final in Dublin tomorrow (Wednesday).
In recognition of the work the UEFA Foundation for Children has done in Ireland, 22 young people from partnership programmes will have the honour of walking out of the tunnel alongside the players Atlanta and Bayer Leverkusen at the Aviva Stadium just before kick-off at 8 p.m.
Among the mascots for the game will be 11 pupils of Culleens National School, Ballina, and 11 young people from the Sport Against Racism Ireland project in Dublin.
Match mascots will be cheered on by their parents and chaperones, who will join an expected crowd of over 50,000 at Aviva Stadium for the final.
The opportunity follows the Rio Ferdinand Foundation partnership with the UEFA Foundation for Children in Connaught and Ulster over the last four years, and comes hot on the heels of Rio Ferdinand’s visit to Ballina Town Football Club in March.
Gary Stannett, CEO of the Rio Ferdinand Foundation, commented: “Our work with the UEFA Foundation has provided long term education and training opportunities for young people to train as coaches over the past four years, and Culleens National School has always supported us in allowing their pupils to take part in tournaments as part of a practical assessment on those courses.
“It’s fantastic that we can now recognise that support by offering this opportunity for Culleens pupils to be mascots a one of the biggest European games of the season here in Dublin, and I look forward to hearing their experiences after the game.”
Sinead Caffrey, principal of Culleens NS, stated: “It’s not every day that a school can say they have pupils representing them on an international sporting stage and excitement around Culleens NS is at fever pitch! Our mascots have been spending the week researching the teams and their players. They even know who the referee will be!
“The staff and pupils of Culleens are bursting with pride and cannot wait to see the boys and girls from our own school on the television screen tomorrow night.
“This is an experience that the children, their families and the whole Culleens school community will remember and treasure for many, many years.”
The Rio Ferdinand Foundation is making a significant difference through its extensive network of community organisations. By enhancing skills, promoting social mobility and creating opportunities for young people, it is fostering stronger and more inclusive communities. This event is a testament to its commitment to putting young people in the lead. For more information on the Rio Ferdinand Foundation, visit www.rioferdinandfoundation.com.