A former Irish League footballer is helping change the lives of young people through a special mentorship programme supported by Rangers Football Club.
The Rangers Soccer Academy NI recently teamed up with the PSNI to deliver a bespoke 12-week course aimed at looking at issues including sectarianism, racism, mental health and first aid.
It also looked into the history and culture of Glasgow Rangers Football Club, with the kids invited to Ibrox as a treat after they completed the course.
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Nathan Hanley - who played for clubs including Hull City, Ballymena United, Linfield and Crusaders - is Soccer Academies Manager NI.
He was instrumental in delivering the course to the young people, which culminated in the dream trip to Ibrox.
"We have 60 coaches who work across Northern Ireland from Ballymoney to Belfast, right through to Omagh," Nathan told Belfast Live.
"We have coaches all over the country, and it is huge. On a weekly basis we will be working with 400-500 kids, from term time courses to holiday camps and then other projects like the one with the PSNI.
"We have a lot of community engagement, and obviously our full-time academy at Parkhall College for GCSE kids."
He added: "Talks were held with the PSNI during the Covid pandemic, and that's where the idea to run the football mentorship programme started. Phil Cowan from Rangers was heavily involved in the planning of the project.
"We used football as a hook, and looked at what Rangers means to young people. We tailored a 12-week programme aimed at 11-17 year olds, male and female.
"We used a hybrid delivery of workshops and practical football sessions. So we we looked at themes including anti-racism, anti-sectarianism, basic first aid, history of Rangers Football Club.
"And based on their attendance, the carrot at the end of the course was a trip to Ibrox.
"We ran this course on a Friday evening, and we also have one in Ards and North Down at Clandeboye Park on a Saturday evening.
"Those are times when young people maybe get involved in anti-social behaviour. So we targeted those specific times to bring the young people in, and give them a good experience so they make better life choices, essentially."
The young people who took part in the Causeway Coast and Glens group enjoyed a tour of Ibrox stadium last Sunday and got to see inside the club's trophy room.
But the main treat was getting to play a game on the pitch during half-time at Rangers' home clash with Motherwell.
"Playing on the pitch at half-time was amazing for them," Nathan said.
"It is a dream come true for the kids. It might have just been for 5-10 minutes at half-time, but the crowd was up because Rangers were winning 2-0 at the time.
"There were 31 kids in total and they were buzzing to get on the pitch. The travelling party also had three Rangers staff and five members of the PSNI there.
"The PSNI were brilliant. We had at least one member of the police there every Friday night at Coleraine University, where we held the weekly sessions.
"We had the use of a classroom and also the 3g pitches, so it was great.
"The PSNI were hands on with the recruitment of the young people which was a big help, too."
The Rangers Soccer Academy NI have run similar courses in Ballybeen and Carrick, while they currently have one under way in Ards and North Down.
Nathan says they hope to run similar courses throughout Northern Ireland.
"It is a huge programme and we have been delighted with the response so far. Hopefully it is enlightening young people and sharing important messages," he said.
"It also helps engage vulnerable and marginalised young people so they make better lifestyle choices.
"Some of the young people have even taken part in some public speaking, and that has helped their confidence."
Nathan recently invited his cousin and motorcycle star Glenn Irwin in to chat to the kids.
Irwin - who is set to ride at this year's North West 200 - shared his life and career story, including how he dealt with any mental health issues along the way.
"I brought Glenn in one night who spoke very candidly about his journey as a young person, and riding at the big events like the North West 200," Nathan said.
"He also spoke about his own mental health, so it wasn't just focusing on sport. There were a lot of health and wellbeing issues talked about."
The kids weren't the only ones to savour the Ibrox experience last Sunday, with Nathan admitting he enjoyed the buzz of watching the young boys and girls play in front of supportive Rangers fans.
"It was quite interesting for me at Ibrox," he said.
"I went there when I was 10 years old for a trial, and then 10 years later I played for Linfield in that 'Blues Brothers' game at Ibrox. And then last week I returned again.
"Since I stopped playing, that was the biggest high I have got from football. Just to see those kids, they were absolutely buzzing."
Any clubs or community groups interested in getting involved with Rangers in Northern Ireland can contact Nathan at nathanhanley@rangers.co.uk
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