The Parliament Buildings at Stormont in Belfast opened its doors to Northern Irish sport yesterday with the hosting of a special event to highlight the power of sport in building community.
The Irish FA Foundation, Ulster GAA, Ulster Rugby, Belfast Giants and other sports were involved in the event at which the power of sports community cohesion programmes to unite and empower people was showcased.
Sport Building a United Community was supported by the Executive Office Together Building a United Community Central Good Relations Fund.
Officials from sports governing bodies, sports development officers, sports club representatives, coaches, players, volunteers, academics, community development officers and elected representatives from across Northern Ireland were in attendance.
The event launched with an exhibition and networking opportunity followed by the presentation of sports good relations programmes case studies by Irish FA Foundation Community Engagement Manager Mark Dennison, Ulster Rugby Club and Community Development Officer Colin Hunter, Ulster GAA Head of Club and Community Development Diarmaid Marsden and Belfast Giants Community and Social Responsibility Co-ordinator Stephen Key.
Event host and sports presenter Thomas Niblock also facilitated an informative and insightful panel discussion with Northern Ireland Women’s Under-19 football team head coach Gail Redmond, GAA All-Ireland winner Diarmaid Marsden, former Ulster and Ireland international rugby player Paul Marshall and Belfast Giants head coach Jeff Mason.
“Inclusion is a core value of all sports and with the support of government sports can work together to deliver impactful good relations programmes that break down barriers and encourage participation across the community,” said Irish FA Foundation Community Engagement Manager Mark Dennison.
“This event provided an opportunity to share learning from several innovative and groundbreaking sports partnerships and programmes that are delivering significant good relations outcomes and bringing people together in meaningful ways.”
Sport Building a United Community was officially opened by Junior Minister Pam Cameron MLA, while closing remarks were presented by The Executive Office’s Deputy Secretary of Good Relations and Inclusion, Gareth Johnston.
Sport for Business Perspective:
We have long been strong advocates of the power of sport to bring communities together and foster social good.
This event is a great showcase of the kind of programmes that deliver and we will look to host some of them at our own Sport for Social Good event in Dublin taking place with our partners Allianz in October.
The Irish FA, the GAA and Ulster Rugby are full members of the Sport for Business community.
The Sport for Business Membership comprises nearly 300 organisations including all the leading sports and sponsors, commercial and state agencies.
Be part of the biggest community of sporting and business organisations in Ireland by becoming a member of Sport for Business and enjoying a host of benefits.
Find out more about joining us today.
Get ready to join us for some of these forthcoming events…
