Beacon of Light programme is life changing for men
By William O'Connor
The BEACON of Light Breakthrough coaching programme ends after a hugely successful first year in partnership with Shamrock Rovers FC and the FAI.
The initial pilot scheme came to a close in June and was formally recognised at their awards event in South Dublin County Council offices last Friday where all participants received their PDP1 coaching qualification certificates.
Award recipients, from left, Mark Healy, Hicham Lamchaali, Jamie Adams, Cian McEvoy, Mark Healy, Geoffrey McCarthy and Dylan Kirwan are presented with their certificates by Mark Connors, Development Officer, FAI, Mayor Vicki Casserly and Robbie De Courcy,
Development Officer, FAI, during the Breakthrough Programme Awards 2019 at the South Dublin County Council Chambers in Tallaght Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
At the awards Geoffrey McCarthy, Programme Director from Beacon of Light said: “The results of the pilot programme are astounding, the feedback and the evaluation results are very positive, it would be our aim to run the programme again very soon.
“This is a really important programme in the context of men’s mental health. Some of the participants said that the programme had been life changing for them.
“This is quite profound given the variety of complex needs these men have faced in their past, and some continue to do so in their present.
“We wish to extend our sincere thanks to Shamrock Rovers for the use of their academy and facilities, and to the FAI for coaching the lads on the programme and ensuring all the participants got their PDP coaching certificate.”
Shane Robinson, current SRFC Academy Director was also delighted with the success of the Breakthrough Programme.
“We were delighted to get involved in this great programme and hosting the group each week at our training centre in Roadstone Group Sports Club,” Shane said.
“Shamrock Rovers is very aware of its role within the community and we like to support as many projects as we can.
“For the Breakthrough programme we were able to provide the training facility, provide football coaching and fitness training, assist with the supply of training kit and finally to showcase the group on the pitch at half time of last Friday’s game at Tallaght Stadium.”
