Sport Northern Ireland: Creating Opportunities has provided £5,000 of match funding
Ardstraw FC: Football and Wellbeing for Older Men
Omagh, Derry and Strabane, United Kingdom
Aim
Ardstraw FC is launching a 12-week football and wellbeing programme for inactive men aged 50+ in the Newtownstewart area.
Who are we?
Ardstraw Football Club is a community football club based in Newtownstewart, rural Co. Tyrone. We are a registered charity (NIC101331) run entirely by volunteers, serving the local community from youth players aged 7 upwards through to senior level.
The aims and objectives of our Club are:
- To offer coaching and competitive opportunities in football
- To promote the club and sport within the local community
- To ensure a duty of care to all members of the Club
- To provide our programmes and services in a way that is inclusive and fair for all
- To improve opportunities in sport for better physical, mental and emotional wellbeing across Newtownstewart and Plumbridge
We have over 250 members and volunteers, serving the community from youth players aged 7 through to senior level.
We are more than a football club. We are a community hub that provides sport, social connection and a sense of belonging to people of all ages. Football has always been at the heart of life here, and we are committed to making sure it stays that way for generations to come.
Why are we crowdfunding?
We are launching a brand new 12-week football and wellbeing programme for inactive and older men in rural Newtownstewart. This programme does not currently exist and is new and additional to our normal club activity.
The programme in numbers:
- 12 weeks of delivery
- 5 hours of activity per week
- 60 hours of structured sessions in total
- 30 or more men aged 50 and over targeted
Each week participants will take part in:
- Introductory football sessions focused on basic skills, movement and enjoyment rather than competition
- Walking football sessions for older men or those with mobility or health limitations
- Fortnightly small-sided games where men can participate at their own pace
- Walk and talk sessions using the Council walking path beside our grounds to support physical activity, social connection and mental wellbeing
- Pitch care and maintenance activities to encourage social interaction and a sense of ownership of the club
Sessions will be delivered in a supportive, non-competitive environment where men can take part at their own pace, rebuild confidence and enjoy being active again.
Why this programme is needed:
Many men in Newtownstewart stop taking part in physical activity after school or early adulthood. Work, family commitments, injuries, confidence issues and declining fitness all play a role. For older men in particular, there are very few local opportunities that feel suitable or welcoming. Traditional club training can feel intimidating, too fast-paced or simply not designed for them.
This project creates a different starting point. By offering walking football, introductory football and walk and talk sessions along the Council walking path that runs right beside our grounds, we provide accessible ways for men to get active again without pressure, competition or expectations.
Beyond playing:
Many men want to help but do not see a clear pathway into volunteering or leadership roles. Through this programme, participants will be encouraged to:
- Volunteer and assist with sessions
- Shadow and support coaches
- Explore future roles in coaching, mentoring and committee involvement
This opens Ardstraw FC up as a place where men of all ages can belong, contribute and feel valued.
Sport NI will match every pound raised up to £5,000, doubling the impact of each donation and enabling us to deliver this programme safely, inclusively and at scale. Our project levels the playing field for older and inactive men in one of Northern Ireland's most rural and deprived communities.
How we'll spend the money raised
The total project cost is £9,200. Here is exactly how every pound will be spent:
Coaching (2 coaches x 60 hours @ £35 per hour) = £4,200
Venue hire (60 hours @ £25 per hour) = £1,500
9v9 freestanding goals with wheels and nets = £2,600
30 x size 5 footballs @ £20 each = £600
Promotion (social media, print and local networks) = £300
Total = £9,200
- Sport NI are contributing £5,000 through the Creating Opportunities programme
- We need to raise £4,200 through this crowdfunding campaign
Your pledge, however large or small, will help get older men in Newtownstewart active, connected and back involved in their local club.
Our rewards
Donate £100 - £10 voucher for John J Kemps & Sons
As a thank you for your generous support, we will send you a £10 voucher for John J Kemps & Sons, a local business at the heart of our community.
Community impact
Ardstraw FC sits at the heart of the Newtownstewart and Plumbridge community. We are based in the Newtownstewart Super Output Area, ranked 201 out of 890 areas in Northern Ireland for multiple deprivation, placing us in the top 25% most deprived areas across the country. Our catchment area extends to Plumbridge, which is ranked as the most deprived area in Northern Ireland for access to services, making our role as a community anchor all the more important.
Who will benefit:
- 30 or more inactive men aged 50 and over
- Local residents who use our grounds and the adjacent Council walking path for walking, informal exercise and social interaction
- The wider community through a stronger, more sustainable volunteer-led club
The wider impact of this programme:
- Improved physical health through regular structured activity
- Reduced social isolation and improved mental wellbeing
- New volunteering and leadership pathways for participants
- A stronger volunteer base for Ardstraw FC long after the programme ends
For many older men in this area, social isolation is a significant and underreported issue. This programme gives them a reason to leave the house, a group to belong to and an activity that feels genuinely accessible and welcoming.
How you can play your part
There are four simple ways to help us reach our target and make this project a reality:
1. Make a pledge. Don't delay if you're going to support us because momentum is key to our success!
2. Spread the word. Share our project on social media and tell the world to get behind us. The more people we reach, the more support we will get.
3. Offer rewards. Get involved if you are a local business by donating things we can offer to our supporters. We will give you a shout out!
4. Fundraise for us. If you want to run your own fundraiser, maybe a sponsored activity or similar, use the contact project button at the top of our page to let us know. Setting up your own page only takes a few minutes and you won't need any bank details. Just a fun idea!
Funding method
Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 4th November 2026 at 2:33pm