Ulster GAA has been recognised for its contribution to community relations at the Good Relations Awards organised by the Community Relations Council (CRC).
The awards have run since 2006, recognising those promoting peacebuilding and positive community relations across the North.
Ulster GAA received the Good Relations Community Champion Award following nominations from both Bangor Academy and Sixth Form College and St Columbanus College, Bangor, for the Cúchulainn Initiative.
The Cúchulainn Initiative is Ulster GAA’s flagship cross-community programme, bringing young people from different backgrounds together through Gaelic games to promote respect, inclusion and understanding. The programme spans 20 controlled and maintained schools across eight towns.
The award citation described the initiative as an outstanding example of sport as a catalyst for good relations and social cohesion. By creating mixed teams from controlled and maintained schools, participants learn new skills together on an equal footing while building meaningful relationships.
Through coaching, shared activities and experiences, pupils travel, live and compete as one team, forming friendships that continue beyond the programme.
The initiative challenges division, encourages dialogue and strengthens connections between young people, schools and communities. Ulster GAA’s commitment to inclusion and cross-community leadership continues to positively impact hundreds of young people.
By Michael Devlin Thu 26th Mar
