Sport Against Racism Ireland (SARI) is embarking on a new project aimed at linking schools through an anti-racism partnership, centring around sport. SARI is hoping to get 10 secondary schools involved in the initiative, which will culminate in a soccer tournament at the National Basketball Stadium in Tallaght on 20 March, during Intercultural Week.
According to Frank Buckley of SARI, the project came about after a student from St Joseph’s in Tallaght, Ian Nolan, contacted SARI for advice and guidance.Nolan, along with a group of students at his school, decided to hold an anti-racism soccer tournament as part of their Leaving Cert Applied course, and sought SARI’s help. Now the plan is for SARI to develop this idea by visiting various schools for anti-racism education days and linking up the schools for a sports tournament next month.
He said four schools from around Dublin, including St Joseph’s, and one from Drogheda have already committed themselves to the Integrating Schools Through Sport project, and a group of unaccompanied minors – teenaged asylum seekers in Ireland without family – have also pledged to take part.
Buckley explained that each school will stage a one-day anti-racism soccer blitz, from which the finalists will be chosen to represent their school on 20 March, with principals allowing students to attend and support their schools on the day. He said the tournament will serve as the launch of the initiative, which he hopes will develop over the next number of years.
He added that integration is key issue at present, and that SARI will be approaching various bodies for financial support for the project.
For further information, contact SARI’s Frank Buckley at 087 244 5154.
