WHEN the late Jimmy Menagh first laid the foundations for a youth section within Greenwell Star Football Club back in 2022, his goal was to have one team.
May will mark three years since Alderman Menagh’s passing and having celebrated their third anniversary at the start of January, Greenwell Youth are doing his memory proud with more than 100 young footballers in their ever-increasing ranks.
A thriving hub of activity in the heart of Newtownards’ West Winds Estate, today it caters for girls and boys from the ages of three to 15 with training sessions six days per week under the direction of more than 25 NCC Level 1 or higher qualified and dedicated coaches.
Greenwell Youth fields a multitude of teams competing across a wide range of local league structures, with its 2012 boys’ team boasting an unbeaten record in their first year of futsal competition.
In October, two of the club’s volunteers, Louise Collins and Katie Hawthorne, were recognised in the Irish Football Association’s Grassroots Football Awards, winning the Regional Volunteer of the Year and Young Volunteer of the Year respectively.
A number of other coaches have completed the Irish FA’s Female Football Leaders Programme.
Greenwell Youth signs off posts on their social media channels with ‘#MoreThanJustAClub’, with important causes such as Action Mental Health and Autism NI featuring on the front of their playing shirts.
It’s a message reinstated by secretary, Louise Collins, who says the impact reaches far beyond just football.
“We’re very much about a community ethos and we try to keep everything to a minimum cost, so that it is available to everyone.
“Our coaches are all volunteers and give up their time on top of work and family life.
“For some of our older age groups, this gives them a focus and can help stop them from getting involved in anti-social behaviour and things like that.
“We have kept going from strength to strength – once you become involved, it is hard to stop.”
Greenwell Youth wishes to place on record thanks to its sponsor for their support, most notably East End Tanning, Colin Adams Motorparts and the West Winds Development Association.
To find out more, get in touch via greenwellyouthfc@gmail.com.
