Crusading football club backs education hub for local community to tune of £1.2m

AN Irish League football club is investing more than £1m in an education centre in north Belfast.

Current Premiership champions Crusaders are pumping £1.2m into the project to help people in the area gain qualifications and tackle long-term unemployment.

The investment is being supported by the Ulster Community Investment Trust (UCIT) and the Social Investment Fund (SIF).

Work has started on the new education hub, named the McDonald Centre after club legend Roy McDonald, and is due to open at the end of the year.

Located on the site of the former Crusaders social club, it is aimed at tackling local issues such as social deprivation and paramilitary influence.

A study by Queen’s University Belfast found that only 11.7% of local secondary level pupils attend grammar school — the

From left: Crusaders manager Stephen Baxter, UCIT chairman Alan Moneypenny and club legend Roy McDonald

lowest level in Northern Ireland. Phelim Sharvin, associate director at UCIT, said: “This investment, by one of Northern Ireland’s most successful football clubs, will provide an invaluable resource to the local communi-

ty in the drive to tackle issues which have blighted the area in recent years.

“The club is already involved in a number of community initiatives and this further enhances their social impact in the area.

“The centre will give people of all ages the chance to further their education and help them get on the employment ladder.

“With the backing of leading education providers, people will have access to the resources and mentoring that they need to succeed.”

Crusaders vice-chair Mark Langhammer said: “Crusaders FC has been part of the community since 1898 and this is our opportunity to provide an aspirational ‘space’ within our local neighbourhood.

“The McDonald Centre will be an education resource for people of all ages.”

Club treasurer Tommy Whiteside said: “Crusaders is proud of its north Belfast heritage and we believe that this investment will help future generations of local people achieve their full potential.

“Roy McDonald is a Crusaders living legend and his successes with the club over almost 50 years embodies everything we hope the new centre will achieve.”

McDonald hung up his gloves earlier this year after 46 years as a player and coach with the club. He joined Crusaders in 1972, playing more than 400 games and winning several titles.