Joint event showcases clubs at the heart of their Community

Over 100 volunteers from clubs across the province came together last Wednesday to the Beyond the Game event; a joint good relations event hosted by Ulster GAA, IRFU (Ulster Branch) and the Irish FA which welcomed Mickey Harte as the keynote speaker. Mickey praised the work of volunteers across the sporting spectrum and shared some of his own voluntary experience with Tyrone.

“In every sport and every club there are huge networks of unsung heroes who aren’t on the pitch who are vital to the success of those on the pitch.” Mickey Harte also said that “We need to respect the roles of everyone in our clubs and everyone in sport. By coming together through to events such as this we can meet like-minded people who are just as passionate about their sport as we are. In this way we can find that we have more in common than we have differences; we can grow together and focus on what connects us rather than what divides us.”

The joint event showcased Donaghmore GAA, Ballynahinch RFC and St Oliver Plunkett FC who are each delivering positively in their respective communities by providing activities and services which reach beyond their sporting remits. The evening also offered workshops focusing on issues close to the heart of sports clubs including health, volunteering and community engagement.

The Beyond the Game event forms part of a wider joint project between the three sporting Associations designed to help increase club capacity through sport at local level. The Sport in the Community Programme, funded by the Department for Social Development, supports the three sporting bodies to work together in developing volunteering best practice, community development and good relations.

Minister for Social Development, Nelson McCausland MLA, said: “I am pleased to support the Sport in the Community Project and to endorse the role that each of you play within your club. The value that you and other volunteers add to your clubs and communities cannot be underestimated. The Northern Ireland Executive fully supports the Sport in the Community project which has supported over 20,000 volunteering opportunities over the past two years.

“By joining forces within the project, the IFA, UGAA and IRFU (Ulster Branch) are delivering key learning to sports clubs, building on volunteering and supporting community development. Volunteering is vital in supporting participation at all levels of sport and through our Volunteering Strategy we are striving to develop and add value to the existing contribution made by countless volunteers in building strong sports clubs and communities.”

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For further information about the Sport in the Community project and future events please contact Diarmuid O’Carroll Irish FA on 028 9068 8425, Gavin McGilly Ulster GAA on 028 (048) 3752 1900 or David Johnston, IRFU (Ulster Branch) on 028 9049 3111 Opt 8 Ext 257.

Photo Caption: Pictured at the Beyond the Game event, a joint good relations event hosted by Ulster GAA, IFA and IRFU Ulster Branch, are L-R Denise Watson, John Boyd Chair of Domestic Games Committee IRFU Ulster Branch, Keynote speaker & Tyrone GAA Manager Mickey Harte, Minister for Social Development Nelson McCausland, President Ulster GAA Martin McAviney, Director of Corporate Service Irish FA Gerry Crossan.