Supported by the Communities Integration Fund of the Department of Justice & Equality, Athletics Ireland and the Dormant Accounts Disbursement Fund; the diversity games supports the participation of children and young people, particularly those of an ethnic minority background in an integrated schools athletics programme.
The Diversity Games programme consists of a six to eight week athletics intervention in schools with above average enrolment of children of an ethnic minority background culminating in a one day Diversity Games blitz for primary schools.
The inaugural Diversity Games day took place in January 2018. Minister of State for Integration, David Stanton TD was impressed with the wealth of young talent taking part in Ireland’s first indoor ‘diversity games’ on the day.
Speaking on the day, Minister Stanton said:
“The Migrant Integration Strategy which was published in spring 2017 contains a commitment to explore the potential of sport in the integration of all migrants through encouraging active participation, volunteering and involvement for all.
It is for this very reason I established the Communities Integration Fund which has helped Offaly Sports Partnership deliver this wonderful event and supported other local sports initiatives which seek to bring diverse communities together.”
Eamonn Henry, Coordinator, Offaly Sports Partnership said
“Projects like this are very important. They allow us to introduce the sport in schools with large numbers of children of migrant parents – after that we try and get some into athletic clubs.”
Offaly Sports Partnership continues to support the delivery of the diversity games programme in primary and secondary schoools. For more information on the programme, contact Eamonn Henry, Coordinator, Offaly Sports Partnership on 057 93 46843 or 086 7948054 or by email