A local company, RIAS Insurance, has provided sponsorship for Midnight Street Soccer that will play a vital role in the development of the project throughout Belfast and Northern Ireland in 2006/07.

RIAS plc is an intermediary, specialising in providing insurance products to the over 50s age group. Established in 1992, the company has experienced rapid growth and now has over 800,000 customers and employs over 1,000 staff. With premises on the Springfield Road in the west of the city, RIAS is commited to the development of Belfast by providing insurance, employment, and also by supporting local initiatives.

Project Manager, Billy Wylie , has emphasised the importance of the contribution:

"Midnight Street Soccer is a relatively new project and sponsorship is often hard too come by. We are delighted that RIAS have taken up the offer to provide support, and the sponsorship will be used to support new opportunities for young people to take part in the project throughout Belfast. Eventually, we envisage the development of Midnight Street Soccer in communities throughout NI and the UK, and the support of organisations such as RIAS will be fundamental to this expansion."

Midnight Street Soccer volunteer and RIAS employee Robert Murphy recognises the positive role that the project plays within the community:

"As a volunteer for Midnight Street Soccer I can see the obvious benefits in that the project takes young people of the streets at the times when they have nothing else to do. This is important in providing support for young people in Belfast, and it's great that RIAS have recognised the value of Midnight Street Soccer. By sponsoring the project, RIAS have also reaffirmed their commitment to community development in Belfast."