Ulster University supports Tristar’s 50th anniversary programme of events
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The university sports pitches have been a base for Tristar Football club’s training for more than a decade, enabling the team’s capacity to grow its membership.
With over 500 players, the club has grown exponentially over the years, which club secretary Greg Parke accredits to the help from Ulster University.
He says: “We’ve been using their facilities for the last 10-15 years and they’ve allowed us to basically grow our club because of the use of their facility.
Playing helps the players mental and physical health, they love it and they grow and blossom from the use of the facilities. They try to become better footballers and better people and that’s really important for the local community.
He also expressed thanks for their support of the annual North West Cross Community Tournament:
“Thanks to Ulster University, we host the Tristar North West Cross Community Tournament at their facilities, giving 1000+ kids across NI and Donegal the opportunity to compete against each other.
“Young people benefit from participating in this tournament as it’s cross-community. It’s about trying to bring together different cultures and backgrounds. It’s just about getting kids together and enjoying the football.”
The tournament was a resounding success with all-round praise from players, parents and coaches. Local players Hollie, from Tristar FC, and Kyra, from Phoenix Athletic FC, expressed how much fun and enjoyment they had playing with their teammates and relished the opportunity to play matches against teams for the district and beyond.
Local parent Caoimhe said: “I think grassroots sports is a great opportunity for young people to come together in the community, and it’s all part of their development and building social skills and confidence.”
Sion Swifts FC’s coach Simon said: “We participate in the tournament as it’s fun for the girls, the atmosphere created is fantastic and the facilities are great. You can’t beat the community engagement, you can’t get it elsewhere.”
The support underpins the range of activities and support Ulster University offers to local grassroots clubs in the region. The university has collaborated with a range of local community and grassroot sports clubs through support initiatives including the use of sports facilities, summer camps and cross community tournaments.
Find out more
For more details on Ulster University’s Connected to the Community campaign visit the website