Dergview FC Mens Football and Fun Programme

Aim

We are delivering a new football and wellbeing programme for inactive and older men in rural Castlederg.

Who are we?

We are a voluntary led football Club based in Castlederg, catering to adult football and community programmes.

The aims and objectives of our Club are: 

• Offer coaching and competitive opportunities in football 
• Promote the club and sport within the local community 
• Ensure a duty of care to all members of the Club
• Provide our programmes and services in a way that is inclusive and fair for all. 

The Club provides opportunities that improve opportunities in sport for better physical, mental and emotional wellbeing in Castlederg. 

We work hard to develop local community links. For example, much of our efforts are focused on working with local community groups and organisations to ensure everyone has access to sport and wellbeing activities. 

A major aim of the Club is to encourage more participation from groups who otherwise would not traditionally have access to football.

Why are we crowdfunding?

We are crowdfunding to deliver a new football and fitness programme for men living in rural Castlederg.

The project will run from January to the end of March 2026 and will deliver 6 hours of activity per week, totalling 54 hours of structured delivery.

Up to 30 men from the local area will take part, including older men aged 60+ who are currently inactive or have not participated in sport for many years.

Each week participants will take part in:

• Introductory football sessions focused on basic skills, movement and enjoyment rather than competition
• A Dads and Lads 6 week initiative for fathers and sons
• Walking football sessions for older men or those with mobility or health limitations
• Football fitness sessions using light drills, small sided games and low impact conditioning
• Walk and talk sessions using the Council walking track beside our club grounds to support physical activity, social connection and mental wellbeing

Sessions will be delivered in a supportive, non competitive environment, allowing men to take part at their own pace and rebuild confidence in physical activity.

Alongside participation, the programme will actively encourage men to become involved as volunteers. Participants will be supported to assist with sessions, shadow coaches and explore future roles within the club, including coaching, mentoring and committee involvement. This will help develop new local leaders and strengthen the long term sustainability of the club.

This is a new and additional programme that goes beyond our normal football activity and specifically targets inactive men in a rural area with limited opportunities to re engage with sport.

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 by reaching men in our rural community in Castlederg who have quietly drifted away from sport over time.

Many men in Castlederg 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. This is a completly new programme for our Club.

By offering walking football, introductory football and walk and talk sessions around the recently developed walking track in Castlederg which runs right past our club and connects us to the town, we provide ways for men to get active again without pressure, competition or expectations. Men can take part at their own level, rebuild confidence and enjoy being active in a social setting.

The project is new and additional to our normal club activity. These sessions do not currently exist and are not part of our weekly football programme. They are specifically designed to attract men who are not current members and who would not normally walk through the gate of a football club.

The project also focuses on inclusion 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, assist sessions, support coaches and gradually become involved in the club in ways that suit them.

This helps remove the “performance only” perception of the club and opens it up as a place where men of all ages can belong, contribute and feel valued.

If you're applying for extra funding, this is a good place to demonstrate why your project is eligible so refer back to the criteria to help complete this section

How we’ll spend the money raised

All funds raised will go towards the following:

Coaching Costs 6 hours per week to end of March @ £35 per hour x 2 coaches (54 hours)= £3,780. 

4G Pitch Hire @ £45 per hour (54 hours)= £2,430

Equipment= 16x7 Freestanding Goals (pair)= £3,790

Community impact

Our club plays an important role within the wider Castlederg community, particularly in a rural area with limited services and social outlets for adults.

While we operate as a senior football club, our impact extends beyond competitive sport. Our grounds and the adjacent Council walking track are regularly used by local residents for walking, informal exercise and social interaction, making the area a shared community space.

The club benefits men of all ages, including those who are inactive, older or socially isolated. By providing structured and informal activity, we help improve physical health, mental wellbeing and social connection. This is especially important in a rural setting where opportunities to meet others and stay active are limited.

As a volunteer led organisation, we also support community development by encouraging local people to become involved in coaching, organisation and leadership roles. This builds confidence, skills and a stronger sense of ownership within the community.

Overall, the club acts as a local hub that brings people together, supports healthier lifestyles and strengthens community connections across rural Castlederg.

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 your social media pages 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