Belfast, Northern Ireland, 10th July 2012 – In partnership with Ulster Rugby, the Gaelic Athletic Association, and the Irish Football Association, PeacePlayers International – Northern Ireland (PPI-NI) will host the Belfast Interface Games (BIG), a series of cross-community multi-sport camps for children aged 9 – 13 years from North, East and West Belfast in July and August. This project is supported under the Belfast PEACE III Plan by the European Union’s “European Regional Development Fund” through the PEACE III Programme.
The Belfast Interface Games will feature the Game of Three Halves, which incorporates three of the most popular sports in Northern Ireland (rugby, football, and Gaelic football), as well as community relations activities. The initiative aims to promote respect for diversity in a fun and safe environment during a time of historically heightened tensions in Belfast’s interface communities, while introducing young people to the three different sports. In the spirit of the 2012 London Olympic Games, the three camps in North, West, and East Belfast will culminate with a flagship event, which is tentatively planned for Friday, August 10, and will bring together all participants from East, West, and North Belfast.
Children interested in attending one of the camps may register online at www.peaceplayersintl.org by following the link to Support Us/ Upcoming Events page.
NORTH BELFAST
When: Tuesday, 17 July, Wednesday, 18 July, and Thursday, 19 July 2012
9:30am – 2:30pm
Where: Seaview Crusaders FC, Shore Rd, Belfast
WEST BELFAST
When: Tuesday, 24 July, Wednesday, 25 July, and Thursday, 26 July 2012
9:30am – 2:30pm
Where: St. John’s GAC, Whiterock Rd, Belfast
EAST BELFAST
When: Tuesday, 31 July, Wednesday, 1 August, and Thursday, 2 August 2012
9:30am – 2:30pm
Where: Malone Rugby Club, Cregagh Road, Belfast
FLAGSHIP EVENT
When: Friday 10th August, 6pm – 9pm
Where: Seaview, Crusaders FC, Shore Rd, Belfast
About PeacePlayers International–Northern Ireland: PPI-NI is a cross-community charity that uses the game of basketball to unite young people from the Protestant/Unionist/Loyalist and Catholic/Republican/Nationalist communities in Northern Ireland. Basketball, unlike traditional sports, is not affiliated with either community, and therefore provides a neutral space to address the cultural divide. By competing together on integrated teams, children from these historically divided communities can discover common ground and forge new friendships. The contact element of PPI-NI’s programmes is further enhanced through age-appropriate community relations and team-building activities that aim to bridge divides, change perceptions, and empower children to impart positive change in their communities. Since 2002, PPI-NI has worked with thousands of young people to successfully challenge sectarianism and promote mutual respect in the communities that suffer most from the legacy of conflict.
The PEACE III Programme, funded under the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), is worth €333 million and is aimed primarily at reinforcing progress towards a peaceful and stable society and promoting reconciliation. It focuses on helping Northern Ireland and the Border Region of Ireland to reconcile communities and contribute towards a shared society.
For more information on the SEUPB please visit www.seupb.eu
