Formed in 1994, Omonia Youth FC is committed to giving children in the community a safe and fun environment to learn and develop their love of football. Their “football-for-all” philosophy stresses the importance of community, togetherness, positivity and sportsmanship.

The club has grown in numbers over the past 27 years, seeing them currently operate with 34 teams from U8 up to U18, including 4 all-girls squads, they also operate a development centre for U6 & U7’s to get their first taste of football, disability training sessions, and a men’s team to provide a transition into adult football. The club are also a proud Weetabix Wildcats Provider supporting the growth of girls football in the north of the county.

On what being an England Football Accredited Club means to Omonia, Chairman, Michael Pieri said, “This accreditation is a benchmark, not a goal. It is not a mountaintop where you stop once you reach the summit. Instead, it is a continual journey where we strive to improve the provision of football to the children whose football development has been entrusted to us. What is required to retain the accreditation informs us as a club not only what we need to do daily, but also allows us to strategically plan so that we are always evolving. We are fully aligned with the values required, especially those surrounding safeguarding and inclusion. Finally we are proud to be able to use the Three Lions as part of our identity as a football club.”

Michael also went on to talk about what winning this award would mean to the him & the club, he said, “Pride. And it would be an absolute honour. It would be recognition of the hard work, the vision and application to provide the children at our club with a safe, fun and happy environment to enjoy their football experience. To be acknowledged that what we do is right and is for the betterment of our stakeholders and wider community will inspire us to be better still. Hopefully, as we have learned from other clubs, this will too enthuse others to learn about and see our journey and know it can be replicated for the good of the children at their club too.”

Omonia have been at the forefront of our attention this season, provide a range of excellent guides, programmes and events for their members throughout this difficult period. This included some fantastic guidance graphics they shared last summer to help their players, parents and coaches follow the correct procedures at all training sessions. This great work has not ceased, and during the recent lock down they provided their members with regular CPD and learning events with guest speakers from across the world of football. All of which has led to them implementing a “Return to Football” recovery curriculum to help their players return to football post the most recent lockdown.

Find out more about the club online and through their social channels, Twitter & Instagram.