Olympic athletes bring Lidl’s mental health programme to County Antrim schools

Back L-R: Allan McClelland(VP, Belfast Boys Model School), Jamie O Rourke (Lidl), Christine McIntyre (Lidl), Louise Gray, (Youth Sport Trust), Ciarán Chambers (Lidl Athlete Mentor), James Pirie (Teacher)

Front L-R: Alex Reid, Samuel Young , Keaton Young (Pupils, Belfast Boys Model School)

A cohort of elite athletes, including Commonwealth badminton player Ciarán Chambers, has delivered Lidl Northern Ireland’s flagship Sport for Good programme to seven schools across County Antrim this academic year.

The initiative, developed in collaboration with the Youth Sport Trust, is aimed at fostering mental resilience, self-esteem and wellbeing among young people through sport.

The programme was rolled out in Ashfield Boys’ High School, Belfast Boys’ Model School, Blessed Trinity College (Little Flower Girls’ School), De La Salle College, Dominican College, Parkhall Integrated College and Parkview Special School.

Each participating school received £1,000 worth of new sports equipment as part of the initiative.

Since its inception, Lidl’s Sport for Good programme has reached nearly 200 schools and sports clubs throughout Northern Ireland and invested around £400,000 in promoting youth engagement in sport.

The programme combines physical activity with specially designed mental health workshops, equipping students with practical tools to manage stress and anxiety.

L-R: Christine McIntyre (Lidl), Ciarán Chambers (Lidl Athlete Mentor), Alex Reid, Samuel Young, Keaton Young (Pupils, Belfast Boys Model School)

Speaking on the impact of the initiative, mentor Ciarán Chambers said:

“Being involved with the Sport for Good programme alongside Lidl Northern Ireland and the Youth Sport Trust has been incredibly rewarding. This initiative has positively impacted the lives of more than 1,100 young people across Northern Ireland this year.

“Visiting schools and seeing firsthand how students are embracing the programme has been truly inspiring and it is great to hear from teachers about the benefits they and their students gain from the programme.”

Lidl Northern Ireland’s commitment to youth development has positioned Sport for Good as a central pillar of its community engagement. Since launching in 2019, the programme has built a strong reputation for supporting young people’s mental and physical health, especially in underserved communities.

Gordon Cruikshanks, Regional Managing Director for Lidl Northern Ireland, said:

“Since 2019, Sport for Good has become a cornerstone of our community engagement strategy, making a meaningful difference in the lives of young people across the region. We’ve partnered with the Youth Sport Trust and assembled an exceptional team of inspiring athlete mentors who provide practical guidance on building resilience through sport.

“The £1,000 equipment grant ensures this positive impact continues beyond our workshops, supporting teachers and students to use sport and exercise to promote positive mental and physical wellbeing.”

The Youth Sport Trust, a national charity focused on improving young lives through sport and play, has

been instrumental in delivering the workshops alongside Lidl Northern Ireland.

Ali Oliver MBE, CEO of the Youth Sport Trust, commented:

“We’re delighted to continue our valued partnership with Lidl Northern Ireland. The Sport for Good programme plays a vital role in supporting young people across the region, helping them navigate both physical and mental health challenges through the power of sport and play.

“Our athlete mentors serve not only as guides, but as powerful sources of inspiration for students, demonstrating how physical activity can enhance confidence, resilience, and overall wellbeing.”

As the school year comes to a close, Lidl’s Sport for Good initiative has once again proven its value in supporting Northern Ireland’s youth, promoting a holistic approach to health, and championing the transformative power of sport in education.