15 city sports clubsin anti-bigotry drive

Gary McClean, Project Officer of the RESPECT has been working with fifteen sports clubs across the Derry City Council area since it was launched in May.

He says members of local hockey, rugby, GAA, soccer and cricket clubs have been very enthusiastic and energetic in their participation.

He said: “The overarching aim of the RESPECT Project is to ‘build and develop an understanding and acceptance of the Good Relations issues within sport and an engagement across sports that will strengthen peace building at a grass roots level.’

“To date there has been a consensus between those participating, of the real and present dangers associated with unchallenged attitudes and behavior around the issues of sectarianism and racism, and also the power within the sports clubs to affect change on these matters at a grassroots level.”

Clubs currently involved include: Waterside Hub -Top of the Hill Youth &Community FC; Na PiarsaighDoire Trasna CLG; Priorians Ladies Hockey Club; Glendermott FC; Drumahoe/Ardmore Hub - YMCA Rugby Club,; Drumahoe FC; Ardmore Cricket Club; St. Mary’s GAC Ardmore; Eglinton/Tamnaherin Hub - Eglinton FC; Eglinton Eagles FC; Tamnaherin Celtic FC; Eglinton Cricket Club; Claudy Hub – Bonds Glen Cricket Club; John Mitchels GAC and Claudy United FC.

General Secretary of Londonderry YMCA, Willie Lamrock said: “What is being achieved through this project currently exceeds our initial expectations in that, for example, participating clubs are now discussing potential opportunities for collaborative working within their defined geographical areas towards addressing their common and shared issues alongside the issues of sectarianism and racism that prevail within society at large.

“Our intention is to recruit a range of sporting clubs to come together, promote shared space and engage in sporting theme activities and workshops that will have lasting robust Good Relations outcomes.

“We are very grateful to our funders for their support, without which, this important piece of work would not be possible.”

Angela Callaghan, PEACE III Project Officer with the NW Peace III Partnership said: “This is a wonderful opportunity to promote inter-cultural, multicultural, cross-community and cross border collaboration through the medium of sport.

“The programme will address Good Relations issues within sporting clubs and promote engagement across a range of sports in order to strengthen Peace building at a grassroots level.

“I am sure the sporting clubs involved will thoroughly enjoy all events and activities, sharing of spaces, building lasting relationships and developing an increased tolerance and respect for cultural diversity.”

Londonderry YMCA is currently planning a celebration of success event that will bring together the wider membership of the current 15 sports clubs, community representatives and sporting celebrities.

As a direct result of the relationships created and the success of the work carried out within the RESPECT Project, the current 15 participating sports clubs have agreed to produce a joint information leaflet within each hub area.

Following the process being rolled out in the Derry City Council area, Londonderry YMCA plans to engage with a further 24 Sports Clubs in the Donegal County Council area and the Strabane District Council area.

For further information on the programme and to find out how to take part, please contact: Gary Mc Clean, Sports & Community Officer on 07889 057 650 or email [email protected].