Sports Minister Carál Ní Chuilín and Sport Northern Ireland are inviting grassroots sports clubs and community organisations to enhance good relations work in their area with the help of dedicated workshops and sports kitbags worth £1,000.

Good relations workshops will take place across Northern Ireland in early 2016. They will give coaches and volunteers practical ideas and activities to promote health, wellbeing and inclusiveness through sport, and the sports kitbags will enable participants to put these ideas into practice.

Sports clubs and organisations interested in availing of the workshops and the limited number of kitbags can register their interest by completing a short online survey.

The workshops and kitbags are being offered in collaboration with the Department of Culture Arts and Leisure and OFMDFM in support of the Executive’s Together: Building a United Community Strategy. The Strategy recognises the important role that sport plays in promoting and enhancing good relations between all sections of our society.

Sports Minister Carál Ní Chuilín welcomed the announcement:
“Sport plays a central role in our communities. Playing sport boosts physical and mental health and self-esteem while bringing together people of all ages and backgrounds. I firmly believe that sport is a powerful tool to promote equality and tackle poverty and social exclusion. This initiative, delivered by Sport Northern Ireland and funded by my Department through the Executive’s TBUC strategy, will enable sports clubs to access brand new equipment and receive training on how to promote good relations and use sport as a positive driver. I urge clubs, particularly those serving marginalised and disadvantaged communities, to apply for bags and training on offer.”

Inviting clubs and community organisations to take part in this good relations initiative, Sport Northern Ireland Chair Brian Henning commented:
“Sport Northern Ireland is committed to helping people to enjoy, engage and excel in sport because sport and physical activity improves lives and society. Sport not only enhances our health and mental wellbeing, it also enriches our communities by offering opportunities to involve and include people from across different social, economic and religious backgrounds, particularly those in areas of social deprivation. We eagerly look forward to welcoming clubs and community groups to the workshops, and to working with them to promote good relations through sport.”

The SURVEY IS NOW OPEN for completion by interested groups.

Find out more and access the survey.

The closing date for submissions is Friday 15 January 2016.

For more information, click here.