Steven Lowry

Steven has been involved in developing grassroots sport in our local community for over 15 years. He has influenced the lives of so many young people aged 5-18. He has been a Boys Brigade Officer in Newtownabbey since he was 18 years old and co-ordinates all sports activities including two 7-a-side football teams for boys aged 8-12. In 2008 he realised their was a need in our community for a new sports organisation and Steven started Carnmoney Football Development Centre from scratch. It now has over 200 members, boys and girls aged 5-16 and over 40 volunteer coaches and administrators and he recently attained Clubmark NI accreditation at the club. He also referees at a girls Midnight Soccer Programme to and drives the bus weekly, doing all the collections & drop-offs - without him the girls wouldn't be able to attend. He is a Level 2 coach and helped to start the project, which aims to reduce anti-social behaviour and promote healthy lifestyles among teenage girls, and 4 girls attended regularly two years ago, there is now an average attendance 13 with more expected in September. At the football club more girls have progressed to national Elite Development Squads from Under 10 - Under 15. By showing respect to the young children, Steven has reaped the rewards (as have the kids) and his positive influence will be felt for many years to come and will continue to develop community relations in an area of Newtownabbey which continues to suffer from sectarian problems.