GAA and rugby club partnership is lauded

All Saints Gaelic Club and Ballymena Cultural Awareness Project won the partnership award at the North East PEACE III Sport for Peace Building Conference and awards evening, held recently in Limavady.

Sport for Peace Building is a project that is being delivered by the University of Ulster Sports Academy and is funded under the European Union’s PEACE III programme, managed on behalf of the Special EU Programmes Body by the North East PEACE III Partnership.

The aim of the project is to encourage people to become fully engaged in activities not normally associated with their community background, while using sport as a medium to develop understanding of other cultures. This practical involvement in a safe environment aims to build trust and help challenge negative perceptions and attitudes about others.

All Saints Gaelic Athletic Club and Ballymena Rugby Club have been working closely together for a number of years; they recently expanded their cultural awareness project to work with under 18 teams.

The players took part in a six week programme of cultural awareness and understanding as well as cross skills coaching, with the venue rotating between each club. The programme has seen tangible benefits with players from each club representing the other in competitive matches.

It has culminated in 50 young people and coaches taking part in a two day leadership and peace building residential held in Ballycastle in early June.

Kyle Ferguson from the University of Ulster’s Sports Academy said: “The conference and awards provided the chance to showcase the opportunities within the area of sport for peace building, to show what can and is being achieved internationally and locally.”