The east Belfast man behind a successful footballing competition between homeless hostels in the city has scored a coaching opportunity with the IFA.

Wannabe footballers from 10 homeless hostels representing the Simon Community, Salvation Army, Extern and other Belfast based hostels, went head-to-head at Avoniel Leisure Centre, last Friday in a bid to be crowned footballing champs.

The idea was the brainchild of Darren Poole who lives in Hosford House, which is a mixed homeless hostel, managed by East Belfast Mission on the Newtownards Road.

So impressed by Darren’s organisational and coaching skills the IFA, who supported the initiative, has offered him a coaching training place on one of its programmes.

Manager of Avoniel Leisure Centre Ricky Darling and chairman of Glentoran football club Aubrey Ralph threw their weight behind the event.

Darren’s IFA offer was the silver lining for the Hosford House team who were beaten in the final by 4-1 by a south Belfast team from the Ormeau Centre.

Social worker Stephen Potter, who works at the East Belfast Mission run hostel, credited a determined Darren with bringing his idea to fruition.

He said: “Over the last few months Darren had organised some football matches with teams from other hostels. I was in work around two months ago and Darren and I were talking one morning when he said he would like to have a football event on a bigger scale and have a tournament but that he didn’t know how it could happen.

“I suggested to him that with a bit of support from the right people together he and I could make it happen, so together Darren and I began to get a plan together. Darren phoned all the hostels in the town let them know what we were trying to do. We contacted Belfast City Council who were supportive of our idea and with the support and advice of Ricky Darling we managed to get some money for the event and for trophies.

“As a result of the initiative and drive shown by Darren, Colleen McAuley from the IFA has offered him coaching training.

“I think that the event was a really enjoyable one and the talent, drive and motivation shown by all the participants goes a long way to challenging any of the popular stereotypical views of homeless people. Without Darren’s innovative idea this event would not have happened,” he said.