Euro 2012 fever hits Fermanagh

Primary schools from South West Fermanagh and West Cavan will participate in a European Championship themed tournament (Fair Play World Cup) on Friday, 8 June 2012. The tournament will take place at The Cottage Lawn, Belcoo and will start at 10.00am.

It will involve children aged between 8 and 10 years of age from both sides of the border. The tournament will create an environment where young people can explore how negative social issues, such as racism and sectarianism, can be tackled in practical ways.

Initiated by the Community Connections Community Development Project in 2006, it has now become an annual event with 175 young people taking part last year.

In the run up to the event each team, school or community have been allocated a nation to represent in the day long tournament.

Each school or club will then carry out a project about the nation they will be representing and compile a portfolio which will be presented to the organising committee prior to the tournament kicking off. The project will include geography, population, culture and negative social issues within the countries they are representing.

The tournament will take place in a group stage format, leading to a semi-final and final.

As this year’s event will take place in the run up to Euro 2012, it will have a European theme.

The 2012 Programme and Peace Cup event is organised by Breffni Integrated Ltd in partnership with Fermanagh Policing and Community Safety Partnership, FAI Development Coaches and Cavan Sports Partnership.

The event will provide an opportunity for organisations and services to engage with young people, their teachers and parents to help promote their services.

Councillor Stephen Huggett, Chairman of Fermanagh Policing and Community Safety Partnership, stated;

“Fermanagh has the distinction of having a very low level of hate crime but the Policing and Community Safety Partnership (PCSP) recognises that we have a growing diverse community and this event aims to bring the message to those starting out in life that racism, sectarianism and other negative social issues do not have a place in our community.”

He continued;

“The challenge facing us all is to encourage as many schools, youth clubs and young people as possible to become involved and ensure that racism and sectarianism do not get a hold in the minds of our children.”

For more information, please contact:

David Eames
District Policing Partnership Manager
Fermanagh District Council
Townhall
Enniskillen
County Fermanagh
BT74 7BA

T: 028 6632 5050
E: pcsp@fermanagh.gov.uk