A new mural unveiled this week in Newtownabbey highlights the important message that "together everyone achieves more."
The mural in the Cloyne Crescent area of Monkstown was a collaboration between 18th Newtownabbey FC, the Housing Executive, the PSNI, Clanmill Housing Association, and the Department for Infrastructure.
The Housing Executive took to social media to say the project highlights "the best of the community in Monkstown and the team work, aspiration, hopes and pride young people have in their football club, and living in this community as we move forward together."
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The mural is part of a wider scheme to revitalise the area with future projects around the football club and wider community.
The new piece of artwork faces onto the football pitch used by 18th Newtownabbey FC, with the club saying it is part of a strategy developed during the pandemic to develop and grow.
A club representative told Belfast Live: "We are a community based club and have been going for 35 years and this mural facing down on our home pitch is the start of a new project in the area, and it represents everyone involved at the football club.
"The uncertainty during the COVID 19 pandemic was challenging, but we as club believed we could come out the other end stronger. A bigger community involvement on and off the pitch during and after this pandemic has brought a new energy to the football club.
"Growing the youth section is so important to get as many kids playing football but also we have created a viable player pathway from junior to senior football.
"The other focus during this period was planning to upgrade the facilities at Cloyne Crescent, Monkstown to ensure it can support the vision of the football club and community."
Looking towards the future, 18th Newtownabbey FC have been able to provide extra coaching, and will have upgraded facilities in place from next summer.
The club representative added: "The good news and with the help of local councillor Mark Cooper and others, a new 3G training pitch that should be completed in June/July 2023. We believe with better facilities we can provide more training and other events for all in the community and continue to grow.
"The local community including sponsors have got onboard with improving the football club which is in the heart of the community.
"We also had a successful crowdfunding fundraiser which was focused on health and well-being of all our members and also additional training session for our youth players.
"There is some excellent work being done, and this mural will remind us all, that even in a global pandemic the strength is within the people of the community. We can’t do this alone and Together Everyone Achieves More."
Local councillor Mark Cooper worked with the team to see the mural come to life, and push for enhancements to their facilities.
He said: "I am delighted that this project has came to fruition after bringing all the partners involved together and securing the funding. A huge thank you to artist Dean Kane from Visual Waste who brought the vision to life."
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