Derry using sport to improve community relations

Sporting events aimed at encouraging good relations among school children and young people are a key part of this year's programme of events organised by Derry City Council for Community Relations Week (20th-25th May 2013).

Football for All, an event hosted by World United, a multi-cultural Football team in association with the Teenage Kickz project and the IFA will be among events taking place.

Carol Stewart, community relations officer for Derry City Council said: "World United will use the medium of football to encourage young people to think about diversity and promote the anti-racism and anti-prejudice message.

"Sport, it is often claimed, can be used as a medium for reconciliation and it is on this basis and the success of previous events, that sport features on the good relations programme again in this, the City of Culture year."

Other highlights include the Ulster GAA, Irish Football Association and IRFU Branch will host a joint Good Relations Event at Oakgrove aimed at supplying clubs with the relevant support to enhance relations and maintain stronger bonds with other clubs.

The session will take examples from relevant case studies of best practice to equip local clubs with the skills, resources and knowledge on how to make themselves more welcoming to non-traditional groups.

A full programme of events for Community Relations Week 2013 can be found here .