FOOTBALL: Charlie Shiels is one of the most respected football men in Donegal, and it’s easy to see why!
Shiels, has dedicated 38 years to Ballyraine FC, and has provided football for generations of aspiring young football players.
His passion for the game has never been diluted and he is gearing up for a new campaign at Ballyraine FC.
Ballyraine FC started its registration process this week for its 38th season of schoolboy football in the Donegal Schoolboy league. A large crowd of parents, boys and girls gathered at Arena 7 to sign up for the coming season that starts in August/September and runs till the end of November.
The soccer season will then take a winter break and recommence in March next year.
Ballyraine FC is one of the oldest and most successful schoolboy football clubs in the country. Formed in 1979 by Andy O’Boyle and the late Fred Bell, the club is 38 years in existence and still going strong. Club PRO, Oran Grimes said “Ballyraine FC is one of only three of the Letterkenny schoolboy league clubs still in existence”. “It’s a testament to people like Charlie Shiels and others who has been involved in the club for over 35 years”.
Oran continues, “We have very health numbers at all age groups and a very good group of coaches”. “We use a very simple philosophy at the club, it’s about allowing children to develop their football skills and have fun in a safe and enjoyable environment”. “It’s not all about winning it’s about the quality of the football being played”. Ballyraine FC fields teams at under 8, 9 10, 11 12, 14 and 16 age groups. Football coaches are Garda vetted and complete the FAI coaching courses.
The standard of coaching at the club has gone from strength to strength over the years. This was evident last weekend with five players from Ballyraine FC being selected for the Letterkenny under 10 and under 12 Community Games teams who travelled to Athlone to compete in the National Community Games finals. Jack Keys and Kieran McFeely played for the winning Letterkenny u10s indoor soccer team. Ruairi Kavanagh, Danny Harkin and Padraig Hughes played for the u12 team.
Earlier this year, the club entered two teams in the Foyle Cup at under 9 and under 10 age groups. Both teams equipped themselves exceptionally well and punched well above their weight by competing against teams from Irish league and international clubs with large underage academies.
Oran Grimes said, “The club is currently registering players for the new season which will start in September”. “We welcome the interest from any new boys or girls at all age groups, who wish to try out soccer”. Contact Charlie Shiels (086) 896 2709 or Oran Grimes PRO (086) 160 0520 for more details.
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