Aspiring young footballers gathered at Avoniel Leisure Centre on Friday 14th February for a groundbreaking event that fused football, science and technology as part of this year’s NI Science Festival.
‘Soccer Science’ - a collaboration between the Rio Ferdinand Foundation, Choice Housing, Glentoran Football Club and The Nerve Centre - provided a cross-community learning experience for 80 young people aged 13–18.
Young people from Belfast, Derry/Londonderry, Omagh, Enniskillen and Sligo had the opportunity to learn first-hand how modern science and data analytics play a crucial role in elite football performance.
The event, which was funded by Choice Housing and the UEFA Foundation, offered an interactive panel discussion with Glentoran first-team players Aaron Wightman and Josh Kelly and Glentoran’s Lead Performance Analyst Leon Tierney followed by an action-packed five-a-side football tournament.
The panel discussion explored key themes such as injury prevention, recovery, rehabilitation, nutrition and how cutting-edge technology supports a player’s career at the highest level.
The high-energy five-a-side tournament at Avoniel Leisure Centre’s state-of-the-art 3G pitches capped off a day of sport and education, showcasing competition, teamwork and inclusivity. The winning team proudly lifted the ‘Soccer Science’ Tournament Trophy in a celebratory awards ceremony.
Darryl Forsythe, Northern Ireland Programme Coordinator of the Rio Ferdinand Foundation, said: “At the Rio Ferdinand Foundation, we are committed to harnessing the power of sport as a catalyst for education, personal growth and social inclusion. ‘Soccer Science’ is a shining example of how football and science can come together to inspire young people in a fun and engaging way.
“This event wasn’t just about competition on the pitch. Bringing together young people from different backgrounds, we created an environment where they could explore the science behind football, interact with professional players and build friendships through shared experiences.
“The level of engagement, curiosity and enthusiasm from the young people was incredible and it reinforces our belief that football has the power to break down barriers and provide young people with skills and knowledge that extend far beyond the game.”
Michael McDonnell, Group CEO of Choice Housing said: “Choice Housing is committed to supporting the local communities across the areas we provide housing and our collaboration with the Rio Ferdinand Foundation further facilitates this, with a focus on support for young people.
“Creating opportunities for young people to develop both personally and professionally, building important relationships and gaining vital life skills and experiences are all important elements of this partnership.
“Today’s event not only brought young people from across communities together, but it provided an important platform for them to gain a perspective from individuals working and volunteering across a range of occupations within sport, ultimately broadening their horizons.”
Colin Jess, Chairman of Glentoran FC, added: “The ‘Soccer Science’ event perfectly showcased how football can be a powerful platform for education, inspiration and social impact. At Glentoran, we are committed to using sport not just to develop talent on the pitch, but to equip young people with the knowledge, skills and confidence to succeed in all areas of life.
“It was truly inspiring to see so many young people actively engage with our players and staff, gaining first-hand insight into how science and technology shape elite performance. Events like this break down barriers, spark ambition, and bring communities together. We look forward to building on this success, creating even more opportunities for the next generation, both on and off the pitch.”
The NI Science Festival is the largest celebration of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) on the island of Ireland, delivering over 250 events across 90+ venues each year. Since it launched in 2014, it has grown into one of Europe’s leading science festivals, inspiring curiosity and innovation through a dynamic programme of talks, workshops, exhibitions and interactive experiences for all ages.
