New RT KIDS docuseries unites teens through football, friendship and fearless conversation

Get ready for six weeks of United FC, a brand-new, feel-good teen docuseries kick-starting crucial conversations across Ireland. Commissioned by RT KIDS and filmed in the summer, this series premieres on RT 2 and RT Player at 5:30pm on Thursday, 13 November, with new episodes dropping weekly until 18 December.

This powerful series is presented by Jordan Conroy, two-time Olympian and Irish Rugby Sevens legend and Vanessa Ogbonna, footballer, presenter and content creator (winner of The Traitors Ireland). United FC brings together 15 teenagers from diverse Irish backgrounds for the ultimate team challenge. Part coming-of-age story, part football camp, this thought-provoking series follows these teens as they meet, train and form lasting bonds in the run-up to a soccer tournament. It's not just about goals, it's about identity, resilience, inclusivity and the shared experience of growing up in Ireland today.

Throughout the series, the team are joined by sporting heroes, creators and mentors including: Bohemians FC players Liam Smith and Connor Parsons, Bohemians and Shamrock Rovers Women's Teams, Ireland's Fencing Coach Andrei Fedotov, Presenter and Content Creator Mick Medeiros, Westmeath GAA player Boidu Sayeh, Suad Mooge from Sports Against Racism Ireland, James J Claffey Performance consultant and FAI, Shamrock Rovers and Cape Verde Player Roberto Pico' Lopes and Irish International player, ine O'Gorman.

Eimear O'Mahony, Executive Producer, RT KIDS said: United FC is a really great example of the unifying power of sport. These 15 teens from diverse backgrounds bond over the joy of football and because of this common bond they feel safe and secure enough to share their experiences of growing up in Ireland today. RT KIDS is really proud of this series and more importantly really proud of the young people who chose to take part and open up about what sometimes divides them but what also unites them.

Speaking about United FC, Jordan Conroy said: The interesting concept is what drew me to the show in the first place. We all shared something in common having different backgrounds yet living in similar types of communities. In today's society, that can be a very sensitive subject. We have fifteen different individuals coming together through sports, which is incredibly important. Sports can be used for so many positive things not just for physical health, but also for building understanding and connection. I think it's important to lead with kindness. The kids showed a lot of kindness towards one another, and that's what brought them so close. The big lesson is that it doesn't matter where you come from, what skin colour you have, or what language you speak.

Vanessa Ogbonna said It's been a privilege to be a part of each of these kids' experiences. I found a next level of empathy because everyone comes from a different walk of life and has different needs, they all care for soccer differently. I had to believe in them even when they didn't believe in themselves, and for some, I had to be harder on them in an attempt to show them that they are worthy of support. They're growing up in a world of unsolicited information and opinions and some harbour beliefs about themselves that are not their own. I'm happy to have played a small part in that.

ENDS

LINK:	https://about.rte.ie/2025/11/05/new-rte-kids-docuseries-unites-teens-t...
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