Together through Sport

With support from Department for Social Development, IRFU (Ulster Branch), the Irish FA and Ulster GAA are joining forces and using the power of sport to promote positive cross-community relations. From 2012 – 2015 the Northern Ireland Executive through the Department for Social Development has provided over £480,000 of funding to support community and volunteer development as part of the Volunteering Strategy for Northern Ireland.

An event entitled ‘Together Through Sport’ will showcase some of the existing work that clubs and community groups are doing to promote good relations in their area.  Participants will also have an opportunity to meet and interact with Craig Gilroy (Ulster Rugby), Daniel Lafferty (Irish FA) and Colm McCullagh (GAA) who will share their sporting experience at the event.  A demonstration of the GO3H will also take place at the event involving kids from local clubs

Tools that clubs can utilise to engage with other groups across sporting codes in an effort to positively transform community relations will be available on the night.

The event will take place during Community Relations Week on Wednesday 22nd May at Oakgrove Integrated College, Derry (commencing 6.45pm).  The content and discussions will be particularly relevant to club administrators, coaches, community group representatives and any others interested in using sport to promote good relations.

The event is free and open for all interested groups and individuals.

For further information Contact: Aileen Cummins: 07920528791

Notes to the Editor:

Sport in the Community

This event is one element of an overall programme partnership between Ulster GAA, the Irish FA and the IRFU, Ulster Branch with support from the Department for Social Development (DSD).  The programme is entitled ‘Sport in the Community’ and uses sport as a tool for community engagement.  The programme is focused on club, volunteer and community capacity building.

Game of Three Halves

The Game of Three Halves (GO3H) emerged from the efforts of various community and sporting organisations working at a grass roots level across Northern Ireland and has been developed further by the Sport 4 Change group.  Sport 4 Change is an umbrella forum established by the Irish Football Association (IFA), Ulster Gaelic Athletic Association (UGAA), Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) Ulster Branch and PeacePlayers International – Northern Ireland (PPI-NI) to promote diversity and good community relations through sport.

Photo caption: (Northern Ireland International and Burnley FC player, Daniel Lafferty, with Mayor of Derry, Kevin Campbell, endorsing ‘Together Through Sport’)

If you would like to reserve a place, please RSVP to: sportinthecommunity@gmail.com