Launch event for PEACEPLUS Sports programme to be held in Dundalk

Youth Work Ireland Week provides an opportunity to highlight how Louth County Council supports young people through collaborative, community-based initiatives delivered across the county.

As part of this focus, the Council is supporting the launch of SportPlus: Shared Goals, a new PEACEPLUS-funded programme designed to bring young people together through sport, personal development and structured training.

The launch event for SportPlus: Shared Goals will take place at the Blackrock Suite in The Fairways Hotel in Dundalk on Wednesday, 15 April. Arrivals take place from 6.30pm, with the event getting underway at 7pm.

Supported locally by Louth County Council and the Louth Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) and managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), PEACEPLUS is designed to support peace and prosperity across Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland and includes programmes which deliver meaningful, long-term outcomes for young people and communities across the region.

Delivered on behalf of Louth County Council, SportPlus: Shared Goals will be coordinated by Third Sector Connect, an organisation with experience in delivering sports-based and youth-focused initiatives across border counties.

The programme will run over two years and will offer schools, sports clubs and community organisations across County Louth the opportunity to participate in free sports activities and skill-building workshops. Through sport, SportPlus: Shared Goals aims to support peacebuilding, strengthen communities and encourage positive, ongoing relationships between different groups.

Gavin Nelson, Managing Director of Third Sector Connect, said: “I started volunteering with a community organisation when I was a teenager, and it played a significant role in helping me develop confidence, skills and a sense of connection. Through that, I gained so many new skills, friends, connections, and learning opportunities, and I’m so thankful for it.

“I believe that youth work is all about creating safe, supportive spaces where young people can build confidence, develop skills, and feel connected to their community and at Third Connect, we want to help them build confidence, develop life skills and feel a real sense of belonging.

“SportPlus: Shared Goals is an exciting new programme that offers all of those things. Young people who take part in the programme will receive coaching sessions and workshops on the use of statistics in sport, have access to personal development workshops, receive a qualification in equality, diversity and inclusion, and will also have an opportunity to take part in a cross-border day in Newry. I would encourage all youth groups in County Louth and beyond to participate and attend the launch event.”

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Among the speakers at the opening night will be Dundalk FC’s Bobby Burns, who will share his experiences from playing in Scotland with Hearts and Livingston, as well as Glenavon and Glentoran in the NIFL Premiership.

Dundalk RFC Women’s captain, Zoe Valentine, will also form part of the panel. A highly experienced rugby player who has represented Dundalk at North East level and competed at Leinster level in both 7s and XVs, Zoe has also played with DCU while completing her Master's, balancing high-level sport with academic achievement.

Also in attendance will be Jo Buchanan, the Head Coach for the Irish Wolfhounds Men’s Flag Football Team, who is currently focusing on next year’s European Championships and the possibility of qualifying for the LA28 Olympics.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting.