Bringing a community

together through sport

Using sport in divided

communities in Northern

Ireland

Joe Trolan

Hankuk University of Foreign Studies

Contents

• Introduction

– issues

• Northern Ireland’s History

– troubles

• Sport for Development and Peace

– Concept behind using sport

• Sport as a community bridge

Introduction

• What is a community

– Practical basis

• Challenges within Northern Ireland

– Mistrust based on segregation

• Sport in Northern Ireland

– Historically segregated and divisive

An example - flags

Sports

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

• Cities and Towns segregated

– Catholic vs. Protestant

• Education segregated

– Primary and Secondary schooling

• Sport Segregated

– Irish or British

A chance for change

• 1998 Good Friday Agreement

• Major political parties and paramilitary

groups forgo violence

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”

Examples

• United Nations Sport for Development

and Peace (UNOSDP)

• Fundamental Right

– opportunity

• Powerful tool

– Create awareness

• Path to Success

– Life lessons

Examples

• US State Department and UK Sport

• Promoting cross cultural understanding

• Integration into communities

• Creating awareness of poverty and

dangers

Examples

• Football4Peace and Right to Play

• Israel and Ireland

• Overcoming divisions based on a common

goal

• Highlighting positives of sport

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

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

Gaelic Athletic Association

• Emphasizes commonality

– Unity rather than nationality

• Promoting fun and health

• Schools integration

• Reducing fear and mistrust through

actions

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

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