Ballymoney-based football club Glebe Rangers will benefit from new training and warm up equipment as part of a McDonald’s initiative designed to support grassroots football by funding projects that allow clubs to develop. McDonald’s ‘Match Funding’ initiative involves an investment being made by local McDonald’s franchisee Bruce Baillie which is then matched by McDonald’s to the benefit of the wider local community, in this case Glebe Rangers.

Commenting on the investment announcement Bruce Baillie said: “McDonald’s is very much part of the local community and is committed to supporting grassroots football throughout the North West area. We have already supported Coleraine Academy for a number of years and are delighted to be adding Glebe Rangers to this. It is a very well-managed local club, run by volunteers who are delivering real benefits to grassroots football and to society in general and we are proud to be extending our support to this club.”

John McAuley, Club Treasurer at Glebe Rangers added: “On behalf of our club I’d like to thank Bruce Baillie and his staff at McDonald’s Coleraine for their support, which has kindly been doubled by McDonald’s generally.  We currently provide an avenue for three teams to play football within the greater Ballymoney area, and are planning to increase this portfolio with particular emphasis on youth football. Thanks to McDonalds this training and warm up equipment will significantly boost us as our club seeks to develop further.” 

Match Funding forms a key part of McDonald’s Official Community Partnership with the Irish FA, a partnership that has been developing grassroots football since 2002 and is helping young footballers shine. As part of this support McDonald’s launched a new website dedicated to grassroots football, McDonald’s Kickstart, where local clubs can secure funding for development projects, get access to once-in-a-lifetime opportunities like your child’s chance to walk out as a Player Escort at Windsor Park and useful information on coaching or running a club.  For full details visit www.mcdonalds.co.uk/kickstart

ENDS