Football Blitz programme delivers for 30 young people in the Greater Village area of South Belfast
Hagan Homes, one of Northern Ireland’s largest homebuilders, and the Greater Village Regeneration Trust (GVRT), an urban regeneration charity based in the Village area of South Belfast, recently teamed up to deliver a week-long “Football Blitz” programme for 30 local young people.
The Greater Village Regeneration Trust delivers programmes to improve the quality of life for local residents. It seeks to build community cohesion by addressing housing issues, educational under-achievement, unemployment, health and well-being concerns and by increasing cultural understanding.
Discussing the Football Blitz programme, which was held at Blythefield 3g facility at the end of July, Angela Johnston from GVRT says:
"We would like to thank Hagan Homes for providing funding to support this football programme, which engaged 30 local young people aged between 5 and 11 years old.
“The daily routine with our coaching staff started with football skills, games and ended with football matches. The programme ran 10am to 1pm every day and ended on Friday with a celebratory fun day with inflatables, BBQ, face painting and a medal ceremony. Every child received a medal and a trophy with special trophies for a crossbar challenge and best helpers. I would also like to thank our coaching staff who pulled out all the stops to make it a truly memorable week for the young people involved.”
Ms Johnston adds: “Blythefield 3g facility is a fantastic resource based in Sandy Row and it is available for hire for both youth team training and private functions. We would encourage any groups of teams that are looking for outdoor space to consider using it, simply contact GVRT on 90333527 to check availability.”
Congratulating the 30 young people and explaining Hagan Homes’ desire to improve housing provision in the Village area, Jim Burke, Director of Sales and Acquisitions for Hagan Homes, said:
“The 30 young people that took part in the football programme showed real commitment and dedication. Their enthusiasm and drive made the programme a huge success. Congratulations to everyone involved.
“Hagan Homes is committed to assisting community development in the Village area of South Belfast. In October 2016 we purchased land at Kitchener Drive/Frenchpark Street which had previously been owned by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive. We recognised the potential to expand the housing provision in the local area and subsequently secured planning permission to build a £10.5m development of 76 three-bedroom semi-detached homes, called Seventy Six South.
“Conscious of local community groups’ views that the new homes in the development should be an affordable option for first time buyers Hagan Homes offered buying schemes such as Fair Share to assist first time homeowners purchase within the development.”
Mr Burke continues: “Seventy Six South has proved to be very popular. To date 28 homes, over a third of the development, have been sold. Of the new homes sold so far, 18 homes have been bought by first time buyers. Construction of the second phase of homes is progressing well, with the overall development scheduled for completion in 2022. Approximately 50 construction jobs have been created so far.
“The demand for superior homes in Northern Ireland, which offer value for money, remains extremely high. Hagan Homes builds affordable, quality, stylish homes and we are renowned for our attention to detail and the emphasis we place on the finer details both internally and externally. By utilising an expert team of top architects, landscapers and building professionals, you are guaranteed a home you can be proud of.”
Hagan Homes is an award-winning company that has built over 4,000 homes across Northern Ireland since it was established 30 years ago. The company is committed to Northern Ireland and plans to build 2000 new homes over the next ten years, as part of an ambitious £300million development programme. The investment will create and sustain hundreds of jobs in the local construction sector.
