LARNE Football Club is delighted to announce that Lyn Kernohan has been appointed as our new Player Welfare Officer.
Lyn is a long-standing member of the club’s board, and will now have specific responsibility for the welfare of senior players at the club.
With the first team squad at Inver Park now comprising of full-time professionals, some who have relocated to Northern Ireland for the first time, this is an important role within the club.
Within the board, Lyn will also assume responsibility for being the first point of contact for our new Supporters Liaison Officers, Richard Todd and Callum McIlroy.
Speaking on the new roles, Lyn said: “I am genuinely honoured to be invited to take on these roles within our ever growing club.
“I look forward to working with Richard and Callum, both of whom I hold in very high regard, acting as liaison between the board and supporters. We pride ourselves at within the club on being open, honest and transparent so it is very important to have open lines of communication available for everyone.
“The Players Welfare Officer is a role I am very much looking forward to undertaking. All aspects of players welfare, be it emotional or practical, is paramount to help take our club forward in the exciting journey we have all undertaken together. As a mum of three I’m aware of the challenges young people face today and in particular young footballers thrust into the spotlight.
“I hope to be able to help provide or identify the support they need in all aspects of their life. At the club we will strive to create a culture where there is no stigma around mental health issues and they feel supported both on and off the pitch.
“I genuinely believe if you have a content, emotionally and mentally fit player this will follow through to their game. I’m very much looking forward to working with them all.”
Chairman Gareth Clements has also given his endorsement to the developments.
“I am delighted Lyn has accepted these important roles and responsibilities within the club, and I wish her both enjoyment and success as she picks up the baton and runs with them.
“As we look to continue to grow the club from the very solid foundations we have laid to date, we felt these were areas in which we were a little light. Following on from the appointments of Richard Todd and Callum McIlroy as SLO’s towards the end of last season, Lyn will now work closely with them and act as the conduit between them and the board to ensure their messages are relaid, considered and acted upon.
“The Player Welfare Officer role is definitely a first at Inver Park and possibly in Northern Irish Football in general, again though it is one we feel is important and will add great value.
“With entering an exciting new chapter on our journey and with plans to add to our playing squad, we felt it was vital that we had a go to person at the club, a link between the dressing room and the board to help new players and their families settle in the area.
“Lyn will be there to help our new players with their relocation, schooling requirements, settling in and integration into the local community. She will provide emotional and practical support within this settling period as required.
“We believe a good player liaison officer can be the difference between a player joining or not joining a club and also staying or not staying at a club. If a player is happy and their families are happy then that makes a big difference”.
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