Free IFA seminar in City Hotel

The seminar will highlight practical ways in which football can be used as a hook to promote good relations.

The event aims to be a practical session for the community &voluntary sector, coaches, youth leaders, educators and everyone interested in using football to break down barriers.

A series of speakers will highlight how football has been an instrumental tool in breaking down barriers. Speakers will include representatives from the Northern Ireland Street League and Football4Peace as well as Finn Harps Manager Peter Hutton who coordinates the ‘Teenage Kickz’ project.

Peter Hutton said: “Working on the Teenage Kickz project, we find football is a great way of breaking down barriers amongst young people.

“The ‘Football for All’ event will allow speakers to share our experience and lessons learnt with people who are also interested in using football as a tool to promote good relations. I also see the event providing valuable networking opportunities between groups and organisations to develop future partnerships.”

For those new to football and community relations the event will be an exciting opportunity to hear of how everyone can have a part to play.

The Nerve Centre’s John Peto will launch the ‘Football for All’ educational resource which has been curriculum mapped for KEY stage 2, offering teachers opportunities for task development for UICT Level accreditation. The resource can also be adapted for other age groups and settings outside the classroom. Every attendee will leave the event with a copy of the ‘Football for All’ resource allowing work to begin straight away.

IFA Chief Executive Patrick Nelson said: “The IFA is committed to developing and supporting organisations that use football as a tool to promote good relations.

“The event will be an opportunity to highlight the great work currently on-going while also allowing the IFA’s ‘Football for All’ team to offer support and advice to those interested in developing similar initiatives and projects.’

This free seminar will take place from 9.30am to 2pm and there are limited places, so please RSVP to Claire Adams at [email protected] by 12noon this Friday to confirm your place.