Young people from across Northern Ireland came together through basketball, as Ministers and Community Relations Council representatives joined PeacePlayers Northern Ireland on court during their February Mid-Term Camp at Queen’s University Belfast.
PeacePlayers NI is supported by the Community Relations Council through its Core Funding Scheme.
More than 140 children and young people from across Northern Ireland came together at Queen’s University Belfast’s PEC from 9–11 February for the annual Mid-Term Basketball Camp delivered by PeacePlayers Northern Ireland. Over the three days, participants had the chance to sharpen their basketball skills while getting to know young people from different communities. Alongside games and team challenges, the camp also included conversations and activities exploring identity, stereotypes and diversity, all built around this year’s theme: “Being an All-Star for Peace.”
At its core, the camp is about much more than basketball. It’s about creating a shared space where young people from different backgrounds feel welcome, supported and confident to be themselves. Basketball is simply the tool that brings everyone together, a common language that helps break down barriers, build trust and spark new friendships.
Throughout the camp, participants worked side-by-side on the court while also taking part in discussions that encouraged them to reflect on their communities, the leaders who have inspired them and think about the role they can play in creating a more peaceful and inclusive society.
On the final day of the camp, the young players were joined by Junior Ministers from The Executive Office, Aisling Reilly and Joanne Bunting, who came along to see the programme in action and meet the participants.
Representatives from the Community Relations Council, Damien and Gemma, also stopped by to see the camp firsthand. Rather than watching from the sidelines, the visitors joined the young people on the court, practising their dribbling, shooting and defensive skills alongside the players and adding plenty of encouragement along the way.
During their visit, the Junior Ministers praised the programme for the important role it plays in bringing young people together and creating opportunities for positive connections across communities. They highlighted the value of initiatives that help break down barriers early and support young people to build lasting friendships and understanding.
For many participants, the camp offers a rare chance to meet young people they might not otherwise cross paths with. Over the three days, teams quickly formed, confidence grew and new friendships began to take shape.
PeacePlayers Northern Ireland has long used basketball as a platform for promoting good relations, helping young people connect through sport while learning about respect, teamwork and leadership. Before attending the Mid-Term Camp, many participants had already taken part in PeacePlayers’ T:BUC Camps funded Bridging Divides programme, which brings young people from different communities together through ongoing sport-based activities. The Mid-Term Camp gave them a chance to build on those connections and continue strengthening relationships in a shared space.
As the camp wrapped up, the atmosphere in the gym summed up what the programme is all about, energetic, inclusive and full of encouragement. For the young people involved, being an “All-Star for Peace” meant more than scoring points. It meant supporting teammates, respecting differences and recognising the power of sport to bring people together.