The Good Friday Agreement has eliminated some of the physical boundaries and acute violence of the Troubles, but at its core, Northern Ireland remains a starkly divided society. Fewer than 7% of children attend integrated schools and opportunities for young people to engage in productive and cooperative cross community activities are limited.

PeacePlayers will use sport, specifically basketball, to bring Catholic and Protestant youth from neighbouring schools and communities together for sustained, meaningful and purposeful contact, interaction, and dialogue. Integrated sports activities will be delivered in four new areas through ‘school twinnings’, bringing Catholic and Protestant school children aged 10-12 years together for six 90 minute-sessions.

A new Bridging Divides Programme (BDP) in Ballymena will engage 20 young people in an evening/after school programme that provides cross-community basketball training, matches and community relations discussions.

This programme will encourage and facilitate positive attitudinal change towards people from different backgrounds for 260 young people. The community relations, games, activities, and conversations facilitated through a sporting lens will challenge stereotypes, and prejudices and increase understanding and respect for difference.