Denis Rooney, Chairman of the International Fund for Ireland shows off some fancy footwork with Hoopy the Hound, Broxi Bear and children who took part in the Belfast Old Firm Alliance Programme.
As the World Cup brings nations from around the world together through football, almost 500 children and young people from 12 primary schools and eight community based groups throughout Belfast came together today (17 June 2010) to launch a cross-community initiative that uses sport to bridge the divide and deliver engagement between Nationalist and Unionist communities – the Belfast Old Firm Alliance Programme.
Supported by the International Fund for Ireland’s Sharing in Education Programme, the Programme is delivered by the Belfast Community Sports Development Network (BCSDN) in cooperation with Rangers Football Club (RFC) and Celtic Football Club (CFC), via the Old Firm Alliance. The International Fund for Ireland’s Sharing in Education Programme is administered by the Department of Education.
The Programme targets children and young people in communities most impacted during the previous period of civil unrest through two strands of work: a schools-based project and a community-based project. The current initiative is based on similar programmes, run in Belfast and Glasgow, which have proven highly successful in challenging attitudes among children and young people.
Nearly 3,000 young people, at primary and post-primary across all Belfast Neighbourhood Renewal areas, will take part in the three-year Programme.
In addition to offering educational benefits through activities that complement school curriculum, the Programme also provides social, health and reconciliation opportunities through a range of activities, which include: cross-community football coaching programmes with coaches from RFC, CFC and sportopps.com (a local social enterprise); parent and community initiatives to raise awareness of conflict resolution, and similarities and differences; as well as community leaders training courses for young people.
Speaking at today’s launch, Denis Rooney CBE, International Fund for Ireland Chairman, said: “The Sharing in Education Programme is an integral element of the International Fund for Ireland’s strategy to facilitate more sharing and to promote reconciliation and non-sectarianism.
“The Belfast Old Firm Alliance Programme demonstrates how creative approaches to helping children and young people to engage on a cross-community basis in both educational and community settings can provide important learning experiences to change sectarian attitudes. This Programme is just one example of the kind of cross-community and cross-border work the Fund supports through its Sharing in Education Programme. To date ten such projects throughout Northern Ireland and the southern border counties are being taken forward to the value of over £10 million.”
Education Minister Caitríona Ruane said: “Sport has a unique ability to break down perceived barriers between communities while also delivering real benefits to children’s wellbeing. The Old Firm Alliance programme is capitalising on the heightened interest in soccer during the World Cup in South Africa – itself a nation that has used sport to bring people together. I congratulate the Fund on its support and the project organisers on their hard work and dedication to helping children and young people from disadvantaged areas of the city.”
Peter Shaw, Chairman BCSDN, the lead partner in delivering the Belfast Old Firm Alliance Programme, said: “It again demonstrates the benefits of collective working; and the additional value of using sport as a way of challenging perceptions and moving towards a Shared society.
”Raymond Farrelly, Community Manager, Rangers Football Club, said: “Building on a successful pilot project, the Belfast programme demonstrates how the innovative Old Firm Alliance provides excellent opportunities for children to lead a healthier lifestyle while addressing issues such as sectarianism and community safety. Rangers Football Club is committed to working with its partners to use the powerful influence of football and the Old Firm Clubs to encourage children to make positive lifestyle choices.”
Robert Docherty, Head of Celtic Foundation, commented: “As a Club open to all since its formation in 1888, Celtic at all times aims to promote inclusion and diversity. Celtic was formed to help an immigrant community in need and in the 120 years since the Club’s formation, a charitable spirit and openness has characterised the Club. These are qualities which will always symbolise Celtic and initiatives such as this, are hugely important to Celtic in promoting these positive messages. We are delighted to be taking part in this project and are sure that it will be a great success, as have the many other initiatives in this area, which Celtic has undertaken."
Sports Minister, Nelson McCausland, said: “We are all aware that sport offers many benefits to individuals such as improving health and quality of life. Programmes such as these not only benefit the children and young people involved but also prove positive for entire communities. They reach out to our children and young people and leave their mark in many ways by teaching them new skills and helping them to gain new experiences which work to improve their social interaction.”