Shelburne United AFC
Shelburne United AFC is a 1971 Wexford club based just outside Ballywilliam, serving male and female players from U7 to senior football.
Shelburne United identity
Shelburne United AFC is a football club based in Ballywilliam, County Wexford. The club was formed in 1971 and carries a black, white, yellow and red crest with A.F.C. and Est 1971 detail.
The club name should be read as Shelburne United in Wexford, connected with Ballywilliam and the New Ross area.
Ballywilliam location
The Shelburne pitch is just outside Ballywilliam, about 10km north east of New Ross. That rural location gives the club a clear local identity while keeping it close to a larger town.
Visiting teams should confirm the exact pitch entrance, parking plan and team meeting point before travelling.
Shelburne United AFC, Ballywilliam, County Wexford.
Players from U7 to senior
The club provides training and competitive football for male and female players from Under Seven to senior levels.
That range makes Shelburne more than one team. It is a full pathway club where children can begin with early sessions, move through school age teams and continue toward adult football.
Boys and girls pathway
Local notes for the club include schoolboys teams across U10, U11, U12, U13 and U15, plus schoolgirls teams at U10, U12, U14 and U16.
The club also had a Saturday U8 session, giving younger children a softer entry point before regular competitive football begins.
Senior, youth and women football
Shelburne activity includes senior men, youths, school age teams and women football, giving the club a broad spread of players.
That spread helps retain families because siblings and parents can stay connected with one club across several age groups.
Girls and women progression
Shelburne’s pathway includes girls teams and women football, which is important for keeping female players involved beyond first school age teams.
The spread from U10 girls through teenage teams and into women football gives players a visible route inside the same club, rather than making each age group feel like a separate project.
Keeping players local
Local club notes have stressed the importance of keeping players with their own club and growing parent help as underage numbers increase.
That is a practical rural football issue. When families support the nearby club, players spend less time travelling, coaches can plan with steadier numbers and the community keeps football close to home.
Committee leadership
The club’s official committee detail names Kevin Cowman as chairman, Lee Cowman as secretary and Eamonn Hayden as treasurer.
A named committee matters because a club with boys, girls, senior teams and facility projects needs clear responsibility for communication, coaching appointments, finance and safeguarding.
Coaching depth
The club’s official coaching detail covers senior teams, youths, boys teams and girls teams, with named coaches and mentors across several age groups.
That coaching spread is essential for a rural club because pitch time, travel, age group balance and volunteer cover all have to work at the same time.
Child protection and safety
Shelburne keeps child protection as part of its club information. For a club serving players from U7 upward, safeguarding is not an extra item; it is part of weekly football delivery.
Parents should expect clear coach communication, suitable supervision and a safe pathway for asking questions about training, games or player welfare.
Coach education in Ballywilliam
FAI coach education material includes a 2013 course at Shelburne United, Ballywilliam, New Ross. That shows the club ground has supported coach learning as well as team activity.
Coach education strengthens a local club because better planned sessions help players enjoy football and improve over time.
Facility investment
Recent sports funding included support for an astro turf pitch with floodlighting at Shelburne United AFC. An earlier equipment award also supported Shelburne United AFC.
Those projects matter because all weather training space, lighting and equipment make a major difference during dark evenings, wet months and busy school age schedules.
Selected milestones
The table gathers durable Shelburne United points for the permanent club story.
| Milestone | Season | Football context |
|---|---|---|
| Club formed | 1971 | Official Shelburne United AFC identity in Ballywilliam. |
| Pitch placed just outside Ballywilliam | Ongoing | About 10km north east of New Ross. |
| FAI coach education course hosted at Shelburne United | 2013 | Coach learning activity at Ballywilliam. |
| Senior men, youths, schoolboys, schoolgirls and women teams active | 2016 | Broad team spread across age and gender groups. |
| Equipment support | 2020 | Sports capital equipment award for Shelburne United AFC. |
| Astro turf pitch with floodlighting funding | 2024 | Major facility development support for the club. |
Match visit notes
For a visit to Ballywilliam, confirm the age group, pitch entrance, arrival time, parking plan and changing arrangements before travelling.
Players should bring boots, shin guards, water and weather gear. Parents should check the coach message on the day, especially when weather or facility work changes plans.
Joining and helping
New players should include age, school year, playing experience and whether the enquiry is for boys, girls, youths, women or senior football.
Adults can help through coaching, supervision, registration, communications, fundraising, transport, pitch set up, child protection support and match day tasks.





