Three sports commit to ‘Tackle Bullying Now’

Representatives from GAA, IRFU (Ulster Branch) and the Irish FA came together recently to launch the ‘Tackle Bullying Now’ event; a FREE joint volunteer development event next month aimed at protecting both young people and our volunteers.

The IRFU (Ulster Branch), Irish FA and Ulster GAA are delighted that Lee Kane (Northern Ireland Anti Bullying Forum) and Paul Stephenson (NSPCC) will deliver workshops aimed at protecting both young people and volunteers across each of the 3 codes. The events will be held in:

– Southern Regional College, Banbridge, Monday 6 October, 6.30 – 9pm
– Sperrin College, Magherafelt, Wednesday 15 October, 6.30 – 9pm

These workshops will support clubs to “Build an Anti-Bullying culture in Sport” as well as helping volunteers in “Understanding the attraction and risks of Social Media”.

The three Associations are inviting club representatives from across the country to attend this event, which forms part of a wider joint project “Sport in the Community”. This wider project is funded by the Department for Social Development and is designed to support the three sporting bodies to work together in developing volunteering best practice, club and community development and good relations.

Minister for Social Development, Nelson McCausland MLA said: “Volunteers are the unsung heroes of our communities and crucial to the delivery of sport across Northern Ireland. My Department has provided some £487,000 from the Volunteering Innovation Fund to the IFA, IRFU and GAA to ensure that events such as this will provide volunteers with the skills and knowledge to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience in sport for all.”

Speaking of his involvement within the event, Lee Kane, NIABF Regional Anti-Bullying Coordinator, says:
“The Northern Ireland Anti-Bullying Forum (NIABF) is the lead regional body in all matters related to tackling bullying in our schools and in our communities. We are delighted to be working with the three sports bodies to raise awareness of the serious and damaging impact bullying can have on the lives of our children and young people. Through these workshops we aim to provide coaches and volunteers with the knowledge and skills to better enable them to play their part in making sport safer for all young people.”

Paul Stephenson (NSPCC Child Protection in Sport Unit) is also delighted to be involved in the event:
“This event will enable volunteers from across the three different sports to share experiences of coaching young people and increase their own knowledge of two of the major issues facing young people today – bullying and keeping safe on social media.”

For information about this free event or to register your place please contact 02890 669559 or email sportinthecommunity@gmail.com

For further information on this press release please contact:
Fionntan O’Dowd (Ulster GAA): 02837 521900
Stephen Garrett (Irish FA): 02890 669559
Kerry Spence (IRFU Ulster Branch): 02890 493111

Photo caption:
Representatives from each of the 3 sporting associations and Lee Kane (NIABF) came together to launch the ‘Tackle Bullying Now’ event; a joint volunteer development event aimed at protecting both our young people and volunteers.

Pictured Left to Right:
Lee Kane, Northern Ireland Anti Bullying Forum Regional Coordinator
Stephen Garrett, Irish FA Volunteer Development and Policy Officer
Kerry Spence, Ulster Rugby Volunteer Development and Policy Officer
Fionntan O’Dowd, Ulster GAA Volunteer Development and Policy Officer