This afternoon the Minister was visiting a Community Sports programme at the Waterworks where a group of boys and girls were practicing their football and basketball skills.
Speaking during the visit the Minister said: “Sport gives young people a purpose and an interest. It is character building and it helps young people develop social skills and self esteem.
“By having something they enjoy doing young people are less likely to get drawn into anti-social behaviour, to offend or be tempted into drug taking. They are fitter and more likely to adopt a healthier lifestyle which will have many benefits later in life.
“I believe that sport can deliver positively for Northern Ireland. As the new Sports Minister my aim to increase the participation in sports from people of all ages, to improve the health of the region, and to improve Northern Ireland’s sporting performance. Raising the level of sport across a range of levels is something to which we can all aspire.”
The Community Sports Programme was established by Sport Northern Ireland, formerly known as the Sports Council for Northern Ireland, in response to the growing recognition that sport and recreation play an important part in tackling a range of social problems.
During the visit the Minister met with local manager Diarmuid McAuley and watched as a number of young people from both local communities demonstrated their skills at five-a-side football and basketball.
Notes to Editors:
Sport NI have identified four objectives that form the foundation of the implementation of a Community Sport Programme:
1. To secure the establishment of new structures which will target social need and social exclusion and build community participation amongst people living in disadvantaged areas and people with disabilities, through out reach work to make contact at street level.
2. Through increasing participation in sport and physical activity to improve the health and well being of people living in disadvantaged communities. This includes coaching and competition.
3. Through providing a comprehensive programme of education and training, to increase the knowledge and skills of people, therefore enabling them to contribute more fully to their local communities. These programmes will develop mentoring and leadership roles, helping others and encouraging long term involvement in sport.
4. Through the community sport programme, to provide examples of good practice which clearly demonstrate sports contribution to addressing wider social issues.
The intended outcomes are to establish:
- a reduction in youth offending;
- a reduction in drug use;
- an increase in regular participation in sport and physical activity and encouraging a healthy lifestyle;
- an increase in personal and social capital and an increase in the capacity of
- individuals and groups to contribute to the development of their communities.
Media enquiries to DCAL Press Office on 028 90 258917 or email: press.office@dcalni.gov.uk
