All-Ireland Strategy Launch
by activecn
Active Communities Network (ACN) launched an All-Ireland strategy at a day long series of events in
Ballina, Co Mayo, Ireland on the 20th October 2016 as part of our strategic partnership with Laureus Sport for Good Foundation.
This follows on from six years of project delivery in Belfast and Northern Ireland through the Urban Stars programme, and latterly three years of training, capacity building and youth exchanges in the border
counties and in Co Mayo in the Republic of Ireland.
To kick off proceedings a round table discussion will be hosted by legendary all black Sean Fitzpatrick at the picturesque Belleek Castle, a historic landmark in Mayo. In attendance will be Senators and MPs from Belfast and Dublin. Topics for discussion will centre on how best people can work together to improve opportunities for young people across Ireland.
There will be a grassroots sporting event held at Belleek Park showcasing football, tag rugby and athletics in association with Ballina Athletics Club, Ballina Football Club and Ballina Rugby Club. This will give 200 local young people the chance to take part in free sporting provision from top class coaches.
In the evening a Gala Dinner will take place at the Great National Hotel Ballina with a global audience in attendance. To start the evening Mary Robinson will address the audience through a specially recorded video message to welcome guests and highlight the benefits of sport for young people and communities.
Politicians from across Ireland will be present as well as a delegation from sport for development agencies
and governments across the UK, Ireland, Africa and the Middle East. After the dinner a panel of sporting
greats will be interviewed on stage and will share with the group some of their key memories from their
careers. Sean Fitzpatrick will form part of this panel with other high profile guests to be announced closer to the time.
Chairman of the Laureus World Sports Academy Sean Fitzpatrick, said: "The partnership between Laureus and Active Communities Network has delivered fantastic results working across Belfast and Northern Ireland in recent years – something I have witnessed twice on my visits to the project there. I am pleased we now have the opportunity to expand our work across Ireland, and that a stateswoman such as Mary
Robinson and her Centre are offering their valuable support. I am looking forward to attending the event and building the sport for development movement to help young people through sport throughout
Ireland."
