LIMERICK FC can’t stop finding the back of the net as they maintain on course to return to the premier division next season.
And the Super Blues’ STEP programme, which is part of a wider community focus, is also proving to be another winner for the club.
Run as part of the Markets Field side’s RECLAIM initiative in association with Limerick Institute of Technology (LIT) it aims to develop social transformation and cohesion through sport.
The STEP programme works to increase the confidence, self-esteem and future prospects of students aged between 18 and 30 through education, training and exposure to a variety of disciplines and experiences, namely coaching, volunteering and education.
Ten participants of Limerick FC’s STEP programme recently returned from Calcutta where they trained young children in the finer skills of football in one of the city’s schools.
Staying at St George’s Christian Brothers Free School, the Limerick students got involved in community work, and were deeply affected by the poverty they came across, but also hugely encouraged by the great positivity the local children showed through football.
During the placement in India, the students did some work with the Hope Foundation, and played a match against some of the children from their drug awareness programme, along with outreach work in a school built in a dump. The trip also included a visit to the tomb of Mother Teresa, and the Missionaries of Charity Leprosy Centre in Titagarm.
“The Calcutta trip is a vital part of our year. We are helping to train the participants of our programme as well as coach others through football,” said Barry Lynch, coordinator of Limerick FC’s STEP programme.
“Credit where it is due to all of our participants for taking on what was probably the toughest but most worthwhile overseas placement ever in 40 degrees of heat every day. Words cannot describe the poverty and neglect of certain classes of society here, emotionally that was extremely tough to watch, but to their credit, they had the courage to bear witness,” he added.
Twenty-year-old Nathan Keane from Moyross who went on the placement said that the two week trip “changed my life forever”.
“Calcutta will always have a place in my heart, the kids are so strong and full of joy, that it makes you wonder if life at home really as bad as we think. I’d like to thank RECLAIM, and especially Barry Lynch for everything. My eyes are open to reality now, and life isn’t all rainbows and roses, but it’s what you make of it that matters,” said Nathan.
Limerick FC’s RECLAIM initiative will start its next STEP Programme in September 2016.
by Alan Jacques
