Stay Onside (Part 2)

On 17th November 2016 the Irish Football Association (IFA) and other agencies involved in the Reducing Offending in Partnership – including the Probation Board NI and the NI Prison Service – launched the ‘Staying Onside’ programme. The aim of the programme is to reduce further offending through football and enhance participant’s opportunities to make a positive contribution to local communities. As part of the project the IFA deliver the programme in the three prisons in NI, Maghaberry, Magilligan and Hydebank Wood. Prisoners close to their release from prison are eligible to complete the six-week programme that consists of six workshops, including ‘Basic Coaching Skills’, the ‘Laws of the Game’, ‘Mental Health’ and participation in a tournament. This iteration of the project will evaluate the delivery of a programme in Maghaberry