Harmony Hill foster links through football

Since the middle of February, thanks to a £1,300 community grant awarded by the Housing Executive, approximately 80 young people have been meeting each Friday at Lisburn Leisureplex to play football or swim.

Recently the group hosted a cross community soccer tournament involving teams from Lurgan, Glenavy, the Logic Cafe in Moira, Lambeg and YMCA Lisburn. YMCA Lurgan triumphed on the evening.

The project is being run by a group of dedicated local volunteers who became concerned with incidents of antisocial behaviour. Along with the Housing Executive, they enlisted the support of Lisburn City Council and Lisburn City’s Policing and Community Safety Partnership (PCSP).

Speaking on behalf of Harmony Hill Community Group, the project lead Mark Ballard, said:

“The Friday project has been a great way of developing relationships with the young people and engaging with neighbouring communities through sport.

“We’re delighted with the support we’ve received from the Housing Executive, the City Council and PCSP. We’re already seeing a change in attitude as the young people get to know one another in this relaxed setting. It bodes well for the future.”

Paul Gibson, whose two sons Luke and Josh participated, said:

“It has been great having a programme like this that has provided my sons with the opportunity to play a sport that they love. More importantly it has given them the opportunity to get to know other young people from different communities and develop friendships across the city and beyond.”

Aengus Hannaway, the Housing Executive’s Area Manager, is delighted with the project:

“At the heart of the Housing Executive’s work is helping to support local communities to create a safe space where people can live with others, regardless of their religion or race. This initiative is going some way to help make our aspiration a reality.”