On Friday 23rd March Ulster GAA in conjunction with Ulster Rugby and the Irish Football Association (IFA) delivered a Game of Three Halves event in the Abbey CBS Grammar, Newry. Primary 7 children from both St Ronan’s PS, Newry and Windsor Hill PS, Newry had the opportunity to participate in the activities.
The Game of Three Halves is part of the Sport Uniting Communities’ programme a joint initiative delivered by the three organisations. Sport Uniting Communities’ is a EU PEACE IV funded programme which aims to promote peace and reconciliation. The collaboration project between the three bodies hopes to reach 17,000 people of differing backgrounds, particularly across the political divide with the aim of changing perceptions and building better relationships.
Over the course of the morning coaches from each organisation taught participants the skills of each of the three sports: Gaelic Football, Rugby and Football before finishing with a game in each code. Local sports clubs such as Newry City AFC, Newry Shamrocks and Newry RFC came along to lend a hand, promote their club and encourage children to participate in sport of any kind for a healthy lifestyle.
The Community Sport Development Officers of Ulster GAA, Ulster Rugby and the IFA would like to thank the Abbey Grammar for agreeing to host the event, Darren Mullen from Newry City AFC, Sean Gallagher from Newry Shamrocks and Peter McParland from Newry RFC for passing on their expertise and contributing to the activities, Wards of Rockmount for providing refreshments and finally the staff and pupils of St Ronan’s’ and Windsor Hill primary schools who made the day such a huge success.