Heron Energy has announced its sponsorship of new kits for the Omagh Academy girls’ football team, with the school side set to compete in style when they take to the pitch.
Whilst the girls’ football team at Omagh Academy is relatively new, they’ve had their fair share of success, most notably triumphing in a nail-biting penalty shootout to win the Castlederg High tournament in November 2024. In addition, the team took part in the Belfast Futsal Festival in December 2023, where they made it to the final rounds.
Training sessions take place weekly, and with the Desmond Cup on the horizon, the girls are more focused than ever and will be sporting their new strips with pride when they compete later in the year.
Speaking on the sponsorship, Nicola Monaghan, biology teacher and football coach at Omagh Academy, said: “Heron Energy’s support is brilliant for our girls’ football team, and we are delighted to have them on board. The new kits are just what they need to look and feel their best when playing on the pitch. It does wonders for their confidence and reminds us of how vital it is to support young girls in pursuing their dreams in sports. We are so thankful for Heron Energy’s support.”
Pictured at the unveiling of the new Omagh Academy girls’ football kit are, from left to right, Nicola Monaghan, biology teacher and football coach, Omagh Academy; Rebecca George and Emily Hemphill, pupils and players on the Omagh Academy girls’ football team; and Colin Power, Head of Development, Heron Energy.
Colin Power, Head of Development at Heron Energy, spoke of the company’s commitment to community initiatives and support of local talent: “At Heron Energy, we are pleased to invest in the future of Northern Ireland through the next generation of athletes, particularly when it involves supporting young women to pursue their interests in sport. By sponsoring the Omagh Academy girls’ football team, we hope to enable them to enjoy continued success, whilst playing a small role in tackling historical gender imbalance for women in sport.”
Mr Power concluded, “Our entire business is based around investing in and equipping the region for the future, so this partnership aligns perfectly with our values. We look forward to seeing the Academy perform in their new kit this season.”
Statistics in the 2021/22 Continuous Household Survey report that among post-primary school pupils, young women are falling consistently behind their male counterparts when it comes to participation in sports, with 82% of boys more likely to participate in sports within schools than 72% of girls.
Rebecca George and Emily Hemphill, pupils and players on the Omagh Academy girls’ football team with the new kit supplied by Heron Energy.