The Irish FA Foundation’s Community Engagement Team has been working on a new community camps concept throughout the summer.
In partnership with a range of community groups and established partners such as PSNI, UEFA Foundation for Children and Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, a bespoke educational and practical five-day programme has been developed to benefit young people from all communities.
Educational content includes modules on mental health, tackling sectarianism/racism and a tour of the Clearer Twist National Stadium at Windsor Park as well as a tour of the stadium’s Education and Heritage Centre.
Two programmes run at the Newforge sports complex in south Belfast were supported by PSNI, one of which was delivered with partner sports organisations Ulster Rugby, Ulster GAA, Belfast Giants and Ulster Boxing.
The Northern Ireland Islamic Centre participated in the first Newforge programme, with 20 boys and 20 girls taking part.
A multi-sport event at Newforge, run by PSNI, attracted 150 young people from all communities and gave participants the opportunity to take part in five separate sports.
A programme has also been running in Rathcoole in Newtownabbey. It’s a preventative measures programme aimed at engaging young participants during the summer who might otherwise potentially get involved in community conflicts.
The programme fosters community support and resilience, helping to create a more inclusive community, providing a safe space for youth to engage in football and gain valuable life skills.
Mark Dennison, the Irish FA Foundation’s Community Engagement Manager, pointed out: “Summer camps have been a huge success over the years for the Irish FA Foundation and in the world of community engagement we have been looking to develop a new programme with a focus on both educational modules and football.
“This has proved to be really positive, with more than 200 young people taking part in community engagement camps from across all communities.
“The feedback and satisfaction rates have been excellent, and we have created many opportunities and new partnerships along the way.”
