West Belfast Sporting Heroes

The West Belfast Sporting Hero Project was developed by the young people of the Saints Youth Centre. Sport’s within the local communities of West Belfast has never had a political divide it has always brought the local Catholic and Protestant people together. West Belfast has had produced many local sporting heroes over the last century. This project has enabled the young people to developed their knowledge and greater understanding of how sport has been able to positive role within their communities

With the support of Claire Hackett a local historian from the Fall Community Council and Dairy Farm Library were able to highlight the heritage value of Sports throughout West Belfast. We had a group people aged 13-16 years both male and female who are interested in developing the West Belfast Sporting Heroes projects.

Aim:

The aim of the project was to enable young people to explore the heritage of West Belfast Sporting Heroes.

Objectives:

• To increase participation of young people in group work and research.
• To create a better understanding of sport within their community.
• To develop a positive image of the community.

Impacts:

1. Social and personal development of young people  through
2. The development of our history and culture through sport in West Belfast
3. Enhance the skills of the participants through research techniques, organisation skills, team work, ability to work on their own initiative, publicising their work and celebrating their sporting heritage.
4.  Creating a positive image of the young people and their community.
5. Creating a permanent display of the West Belfast Sporting Heroes through DVD Booklet and Mural.

Methods:

The aim of the project was youth work lead this was a process that the young people were involved for the very beginning of the project.  The young people and the staff spent many weeks on the preparation of the project and planning for the design of the project. The staff and young people have invited a number sporting dignitaries into talk about sport that they were involved in.  The end product is to produce a Mural of the top ten Sporting Heroes of West Belfast.  The group decided to meet on a weekly based to role out the process of the finish product of a Mural, Website, DVD and Booklet.

Acknowledgments:

The project would like to thank the following people who without their support the programme would have been possible.

Linda Leonard & the Heritage Office for supporting the project.

Claire Hackett a Local Historian from the Fall Community Council, Dairy Farm Library and Kevin Madden Sport Development Officer for the Lisburn City Council for their support during the application process.

Stephen O’ Reilly Deputy Sport Editor of the Irish News for his continual support.

The Staff; Gerard Irvine, Julianne Conway for supporting the young people throughout this project.

To all the Sporting Dignitaries who give their time to come and speak to the young people.

The young people who freely give their time to this project

A Sincere Thanks You !