Sport united young people from three local primary schools at Dromara GAC. Pupils from the Integrated, Controlled and Maintained sectors participated in the Game of Three Halves event – delivered by Ulster GAA – to build positive connections across communities.
Ulster GAA is supported by the Community Relations Council through its Core Funding Scheme.
The event combined Gaelic football, hurling, soccer and rugby in a unique format to help bridge divides while developing understanding between participants.
Game of Three Halves is part of Ulster GAA’s commitment to peacebuilding and positive community relations across the province.
Initiatives such as this allow the organisation to utilise sport to bring people together, build trust and develop opportunities for community engagement.
Game of Three Halves provides a much-needed shared space for young people from different community backgrounds to learn and find support. Sport is the common ground used to aids with breaking down barriers.
Here is how the format works: firstly, pupils from all three schools are mixed into different teams rather than remaining in school groups. This allows participants to develop new skills while also learning from each other’s differences. Coaches facilitated this unique aspect, as well as providing the bedrock for them to learn the rules of each new sport.
Because certain sports and sporting spaces can be viewed as belonging to different communities – Game of Three Halves attempts to remove those perceived barriers through the unifying power of multiple sports.
In this specific instance, Dromara GAC helped deliver exactly that.
Through its facilities, warm welcome and practical support, the club created an environment where everyone could participate.
The event also showcased how GAA clubs can open their doors to the wider community and provide shared spaces where meaningful relationships can be built.
The day also reflected the strength of the local community. Local schools, clubs and coaches supported the event, with a local primary school teacher who is also a UEFA-qualified football coach supporting the soccer element, while Ballynahinch Rugby Club provided a coach to help deliver the rugby activities. With many local sporting connections already in place, the event highlighted the willingness of people across the community to work together for the benefit of young people.
For participants, the event was not only a chance to try new sports, but also an opportunity to meet others, work as a team and experience how sport can unify.
Through initiatives like Game of Three Halves, Ulster GAA will continue to support positive community relations across Ulster, working alongside clubs, schools and local partners to create shared spaces where young people can connect, participate and belong.
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