Young people explore sporting diversities
Mon, March 20, 2017
Over 350 young people have taken part in the grand finale of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council’s Stick and Ball United project.
The event at Rugby Avenue Playing Fields marked the culmination of a series organized by the Council’s Sports Development team.
The project provided an opportunity to explore the diversity of sporting heritage and traditions in the wider region.
Girls were given the opportunity to try camogie, rugby and hockey, while boys had the opportunity to try football and gaelic football.
The Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Alderman Maura Hickey, said: “I applaud this programme for its promotion of sharing and understanding different sporting cultures within the Borough and other Council areas.
“Using sport is a great way to improve trust and cultural understanding between young people from different backgrounds. Participants gained an education into sporting diversities which is fundamental to building our shared futures together.”
Stephen McCartney, Sports Development Manager (Central) at Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council said: “This project showed how similar the technical skills of stick and ball sports such as camogie and hockey are. It also displaid the similarities of kicking techniques and player movements in football, rugby and gaelic football. It was great fun and the pupils enjoyed the practical experience of transferring their individual skills to different sports”.
Good Relations Officer, Jonny Donaghy added: “Through this project, our young people are engaging in activities which raise awareness and respect of other cultures. This will only add to the richness and diversity of our new, larger Council area”.