GRDS Conferences

1. Bringing a community
together through sport
Using sport in divided
communities in Northern
Ireland
Joe Trolan
Hankuk University of Foreign Studies

2. Contents
• Introduction
– issues
• Northern Ireland’s History
– troubles
• Sport for Development and Peace
– Concept behind using sport
• Sport as a community bridge

3. Introduction
• What is a community
– Practical basis
• Challenges within Northern Ireland
– Mistrust based on segregation
• Sport in Northern Ireland
– Historically segregated and divisive

4. An example - flags

5. Sports

6. Troubled History
• Centuries old but more pervasive in 20th
century
• Civil war and partition
– Beginning of present day issues
• The “Troubles”
– Lines marked in cement

7. • Cities and Towns segregated
– Catholic vs. Protestant
• Education segregated
– Primary and Secondary schooling
• Sport Segregated
– Irish or British

9. A chance for change
• 1998 Good Friday Agreement
• Major political parties and paramilitary
groups forgo violence

10. Sport for Development and
Peace
• Recent use of sport as a tool
– Variety of uses
• United Nations and Governments
– Private agencies as well
• “Soft power”

11. Examples
• United Nations Sport for Development
and Peace (UNOSDP)
• Fundamental Right
– opportunity
• Powerful tool
– Create awareness
• Path to Success
– Life lessons

12. Examples
• US State Department and UK Sport
• Promoting cross cultural understanding
• Integration into communities
• Creating awareness of poverty and
dangers

13. Examples
• Football4Peace and Right to Play
• Israel and Ireland
• Overcoming divisions based on a common
goal
• Highlighting positives of sport

14. Using sport in Northern Ireland
• Political, Social, and Economical divisions
– High level of mistrust and fear
• Since 1998 GFA, sport organizations have
been at the forefront of change
• Cross community programs

15. Irish Football Association
• Multitude of Programs
– Working with EU Peace funding project
• Building community plans
– Develop integrated teams
– Develop integration plans
– Long term strategy
– Inter-organization strategy

16. Gaelic Athletic Association
• Emphasizes commonality
– Unity rather than nationality
• Promoting fun and health
• Schools integration
• Reducing fear and mistrust through
actions

17. Football4Peace
• Since 2008 has worked with the IFA and
FAI to improve cross community relations
– Sports clubs and schools
– Coaches, teachers, and Adults
– Created cross community programs
– Targeted racism AND sectarianism

18. Conclusion
• Sport is a world language
– Creates a common goal
• Sporting bodies have embraced the
concept of inter community relations
through sport
• Results have been positive