Tag Archives: Jingle Ball

by | May 29, 2013 · 3:31 pm

Coach James Hughes Unites Children in Northern Ireland

Coach James Hughes

Coach James Hughes leads kids at PeacePlayers International’s Northern Ireland site

So, where to begin? I’m Coach James Hughes, now a Project Coordinator with PeacePlayers International – Northern Ireland (PPI-NI), and this is my first blog post. I started my journey with PeacePlayers by helping out at Jingle Ball 2010 and Spring Jam 2011. I had never experienced a cross-community event like these in Belfast. The atmosphere created by bringing kids from different communities together was incredible and the coaching staff was fantastic. I was hooked!

Check out this video from last year's Spring Jam!

Click here to watch a video from last year’s Spring Jam!

Coming from a school in north Belfast, I have seen (and experienced) my fair share of sectarianism. Even as I write, I am starting to catch snippets of information filtering through about pipe bombs thrown at police officers. We’ve come a long way since the 1970s, but there is still a long way to go. So, knowing that there was an organization in the city striving to break down these divides was a comforting thought, and I knew I wanted to be a part of it. So, I took another, larger step into the organization by becoming a sessional coach for PeacePlayers in January of 2013. I was part of a small group of coaches that went with the coordinators to the twinning programs to coach basketball with one half of the group while the others went to undertake community-relations discussion with the coordinators.

I started taking on more of the community-relations discussions and became a lead coach after Christmas. Talking to the kids about their views and opinions was a new challenge. I was able to listen to their their stories and experiences, which they considered a normal part of life in an interface area. We talked about the likes of sectarianism, prejudice, and symbols. By the end of the program, some children had added members of the other school on Facebook. The sense of achievement in bridging these community divides is so tangible for us; this is what pushes me to keep working for PeacePlayers.

As Darryl Petticrew, Leadership Development Programme Coordinator, moved on to a new post with Ulster Rugby a few weeks ago, a spot opened up in the office. I had a chat with Gareth Harper, our Managing Director, about whether or not I’d be interested in the position, and of course I was. I have just finished my first week as a full-time member of the office and I love it! With Spring Jam only a few days away, there is a lot going on right now. There is so much involved in organizing an event like this. I can only tip my hat to the people who have done this in years prior. I’m grateful for this new opportunity to work full-time to unite and educate young people from Protestant and Catholic communities.

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by | January 9, 2013 · 3:25 pm

PPI-NI is Back to Business

PPI-NI's Darryl Petticrew coaches several participants at Jingle Ball 2012.

PPI-NI’s Darryl Petticrew coaches several participants at Jingle Ball 2012.

This week, we hear from PeacePlayers International – Northern Ireland‘s (PPI-NI) Leadership Development Program Coordinator, Darryl Petticrew.  

With the launch of the Belfast Interface Games, our Spring Jam and Jingle Ball tournaments, emotional departures, new arrivals, visits from NBA players, and a lot of smiling faces, PPI-NI had a very exciting 2012. I have been involved with the organization since 2007, and I have watched our participants grow up through the program, become teenagers and come full circle by acting as mentors and junior coaches for the program.

We are going into 2013 with a lot of enthusiasm. We cannot waste any time, as we immediately jump back into programming. Over the next few months we have a number of exciting things going on with PPI-NI, from getting our twinning programs started, working on technical assistance projects, exploring new ideas with the Game of Three Halves, and prepping for Spring Jam and the Belfast Interface Games. We certainly don’t have to look very far to see the need for our work, as the civic unrest continues in Belfast in regards to legislation about posting the Union Flag at City Hall. While protests continue around a contentious symbol, PPI-NI see this as an opportunity to explore identity and promote the diversity of Belfast through our programs.

2013 looks like its going to shape up as another great year for PPI-NI, but the work we do would not be possible without support. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who makes a contribution to our work. There is no gesture too small and together, one small step at a time, we can help promote positive change and work toward a more peaceful global community.

From everyone at PPI in Northern Ireland, Happy New Year!

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by | December 26, 2012 · 1:50 am

PPI-NI Top 3 Moments for Fellow Chris Schumerth

This week’s blog post comes from International Fellow Chris Schumerth, who has been a part of the PeacePlayers International – Northern Ireland (PPI-NI) team since August of this year. Here, he shares three PeacePlayers highlights from 2012.

Several participants taking part in PPI-NI's Jingle Ball Tournament.

Several participants taking part in PPI-NI’s Jingle Ball Tournament.

1. Coaching at Jingle Ball. Of the nearly 200 children who showed up to the event, I was entrusted with twelve primary school boys that made up our team called The Jazz. The boys came from different schools around Belfast, and several of us were getting to know each other for the first time. We spent the day together, playing five basketball games and participating in various community relations activities.

My group was full of energy, which came in handy on the court. We won our first three games, then tied our fourth. We thought for sure that a win in our fifth game would earn a trip to the finals. But we gave up a lead in the final minute and lost! We were a little bummed out, but to our relief the finals match-ups were announced, and we had earned a spot anyway. We cruised in the championship, winning easily.

2. A fall residential conversation with staff members and program participants. In all our programming, we are always seeking ways to integrate sport with conversations about our experiences with prejudice, sectarianism, stereotypes, conflict, etc. Those things can be difficult for adults to talk about, let alone kids. But on this particular day, in an activity that ended a weekend we spent with about a dozen teenagers, they totally met us there, speaking openly and honestly about very difficult topics. The activity asked everyone how comfortable he or she was with certain groups of people: the police, Protestants, Catholics, homosexuals, Chinese people, etc. Not surprisingly, the activity led to a lively follow-up of stories, and several kids were quite vulnerable. Some of the views expressed were a bit uncomfortable, so we talked through that. I can’t speak for anyone else, but after the activity ended, I felt closer to everyone who had participated and I’m quite certain it was memorable for all the kids involved.

From top to bottom, PPI-NI staff at a recent Christmas dinner gathering: Gareth Harper, Chris Schumerth, Joanne Fitzpatrick, Darryl Petticrew, Tony McGaharan.

From top to bottom, PPI-NI staff at a recent Christmas dinner gathering: Gareth Harper, Chris Schumerth, Joanne Fitzpatrick, Darryl Petticrew, Tony McGaharan.

3. Working with the PPI-NI staff. When you spend a lot of time with people, you get to know them. Their strengths, their quirks, their passions, and their differences. I have learned that Joanne Fitzpatrick develops long-term, positive relationships with the schools we work with. That Darryl Petticrew is brilliant with kids. That Tony McGaharan possesses an endless energy. That Megan Lynch is one of the most organized people I know, and the office is better off for it. That Gareth Harper is incredibly clever at raising the funds it takes to sustain a charity in Belfast.

As a team, we certainly have our own diversities of skillset, religion, political conviction, and life experience, but the obvious commonalties that we share are commitments to kids, basketball, and peace-building. We all want a better future for Northern Ireland, so we continue to learn how to leverage our differences in ways that make the team better.

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by | December 5, 2012 · 1:25 pm

PPI-NI participants express themselves through words and art

PeacePlayers participants are artists, too!

PeacePlayers participants are artists, too!

This week, we hear from PPI – NI International Fellow Megan Lynch:

As the autumn semester comes to a close here at PeacePlayers International – Northern Ireland, we are completing our Twinnings Program for our primary six participants (age 9-10). After spending the last eight weeks getting to know each other, our programming is wrapping up in time for our holiday Jingle Ball Tournament this Saturday.

A P6 pupil's learning diary.

A P6 pupil’s learning diary.

Each week our participants learn new basketball skills, do teambuilding activities and participate in community relation’s discussions. At the start of the program, we go to each class and talk about what they hope to get out of the program. Sometimes the kids aren’t quite sure what to expect, writing down in their “learning diaries” emotions like: happy, sad, nervous, not bothered. While many of the kids are usually pretty excited to do PeacePlayers, some are nervous and not quite sure how it will go. Regardless of their initial worries, our participants usually come away with positive feedback for us after enjoying the opportunity to meet new friends and learn how to play basketball.

Over the weekend, I was tasked with reviewing the learning diaries from my first twinning lead. After each session, our participants reflect with words and drawings about the experience. At the end of the eight weeks we collect them and award a special prize to the pupil that has done the best job of completing and decorating. It may just be that I’m a novice at this, but I found it difficult to pick one of twenty something participants that I have learned so much from this semester.  While I will have to make the much-anticipated decision this week, I am honored to have had the opportunity to get to know such amazing kids at our twinning programs this year!

Special shout out to my teams: the Dancing Chocolate Monkeys (from St. Clare’s and Carr’s Glenn) and the Peace Ninjas (from Holy Cross Girls’ and Wheatfield)!

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by | November 14, 2012 · 9:41 pm

PPI-NI’s Seasonal Gift

After a long and busy summer, PeacePlayers International – Northern Ireland (PPI-NI) is in the midst of another twinning term. With programs running in 16 schools in the Belfast area, 4 schools in Lurgan, and with some exciting projects on the horizon, PPI-NI is plenty busy!

As we approach the holiday season, we are all getting ready to spend time opening gifts with friends and family. But something that we at PPI – NI hold closely to our hearts is our annual Jingle Ball Tournament. PPI-NI holds this tournament each year to celebrate all the hard work by staff, volunteers, friends, supporters, and most importantly, the young people who participate in our program. Without the creative and forward-thinking minds of each person involved in PPI around the world, we wouldn’t be anywhere near as successful as we are today. Bridging divides, developing leaders, and changing perceptions happens at a number of levels, but it always starts with young people: without them we would not have a programme.

At each Jingle Ball Tournament over 150 young people from our twinning programme play on integrated teams and work together to become PeacePlayers Champions. In addition, two boys and two girls will be awarded the Spirit and Hustle awards. We expect 40 volunteers ranging from PPI-NI staff to board members and supporters of the programme to help work the event. For a lot of people, Jingle Ball and our other tournament, Spring Jam, are the highlights of their year.

In advance, we want to throw out a huge thank to all funders, including the Brooklyn Nets, who have contributed to our ability to put on this event. If you want to get more involved with Jingle Ball 2012, please get in touch with us as soon as possible.

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by | October 3, 2012 · 1:37 pm

Tony McGaharan Returns to PeacePlayers International-Northern Ireland (PPI-NI)

New PPI-NI Senior Project Coordinator Tony McGaharan poses with some PPI teammates.

We are excited to announce the return of Tony McGaharan, veteran PPI-NI coach and former Project Coordinator, who joins the team in his new role as Senior Project Coordinator. Tony will be the team leader for operational delivery and also responsible for program growth, innovation, and new business development. We recently asked him some questions about his return; below are his answers.

How did you first become involved with PeacePlayers?

I first became involved with PPI as a volunteer for the annual Spring Jam tournament. It was after participating in this event that I became fascinated in the role that sport could play in bringing young people together. Growing up in a society where sports and sports clubs segregate the majority of young people, I was amazed at how PeacePlayers International was able to use it as a tool for uniting rather than dividing Catholics and Protestants.

What will your new role be like? 

In my new role, I will be responsible for all operational delivery, working closely with our Project Coordinators, Joanne and Darryl, and International Fellows, Chris and Megan, to help ensure we maintain high quality and professional delivery throughout all of our programs. Additionally, I will spend time focusing on new, innovative, opportunities for how we can best further the PPI mission. I will also be in the field, helping with delivery and facilitation.

What are you most looking forward to about your new position?

I want to embrace all the new challenges and opportunities that come with my new role. I’m most excited about rejoining the staff. There are great people working for PPI-NI who hold a variety of skills, experiences, and talents. I’m excited to work alongside the team to help the organization continue to improve its operations and expand the reach of our existing programs.

Do you have a best PPI moment?

One of my favorite memories goes back to my first Jingle Ball. I could not believe how many kids were packed into the sports hall; it was organized chaos. The energy, the buzz, and the excitement was overwhelming. I got asked to coach a team, which was a mix of Holy Cross Girls and Wheatfield Primary School pupils. It was incredible to witness the power of sport in breaking down prejudices. The girls came together at the start of the day quiet and distant from one another, but by the afternoon they were sharing high-fives and heaps of laughter.

It’s just great to be back on a team of passionate and dedicated individuals who are all bound by the same mission: to bring young people together from divided communities using sport.

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by | April 18, 2012 · 1:47 pm

Bunscoil & Edenbrooke – Two Years On

Bunscoil and Edenbrooke at the Super Twinning 2011

Tuesday 17th April marked the final session between two classes that have been working together for two years! The classes, one from Bunscoil Bheann Mhadagain and the other from Edenbrooke Primary School, began working with each other in 2010 as a primary six class. Since then they have been involved in our Twinning programme as both primary sixes and sevens, participated in a Super Twinning and many have been to both our annual Spring Jam and Jingle Ball tournaments.

In our final session we discussed flags and symbols that exist in Northern Ireland. All pupils shared their own experiences and gave their opinions on what the flags and symbols represented to them! It was a great way to finish a twinning programme and both classes came away having learnt something new.

It has been a great journey with these classes, but it doesn’t end there as many of the students will stay with the PeacePlayers programme by participating in our after schools Cross Community League (CCL). This is where the children are put on integrated teams for a five-week period, play in a league setting and participate in community relations discussions. We are currently in week three of CCL Junior Girls, so stay tuned for more information!

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by | January 18, 2012 · 3:09 pm

PPI – Northern Ireland’s Top 10 of 2011

10 – A New Start

PPI-NI recently moved their office from a busy university area of Belfast to the busy Lisburn Road area. Like the New Year, this signifies a new beginning for PPI-NI, with a new staff team and lots of exciting ideas for the future, it seems like the new office has refreshed the organization.

9 – PPI-NI vs. Belfast City Council Wildcats

On a Tuesday evening, what better to do than play a friendly game of basketball with our good old City Council workers. A new dynamic to our relationship with Belfast City Council, gives us the opportunity to let our hair down, enjoy basketball and show off the skills of our VERY talented staff.

8 – Young Enterprise Northern Ireland (YENI) Partnership

Another exciting partnership established in 2011 was with YENI. A conversation between PPI-NI Managing Director, Gareth Harper and YENI Chief Executive Carol Fitzsimons, has resulted in a successful relationship between the two organizations.

7 – All Girls Cross Community League

For the first time in PPI-NI history, we ran an all girl Cross Community League (CCL) for our senior girls. Focusing on our girls aged 14-17 allowed CCL to impact 40 participants from the North Belfast area in a five-week programme. The programme was an unbelievable success and we now look forward to running our all boy CCL in February.

6 – Two New Schools!

Last term we started a new twinning with St. Kevin’s P.S (based in the Falls area of Belfast) and Glenwood P.S (Based in the Shankill area of Belfast).

5 – Game of Three Halves (GO3H)

This is another exciting initiative that PPI-NI has been involved with, and 2011 was the year it all started to take shape. Check out our previous blog entries for more information!

4- Super Twinnings!

An event where we bring together four schools from two separate Twinning’s, to play in a mini tournament and create a sense of identity amongst the Twinning partners.

3 – Breaking the 200 Mark at Jingle Ball 2011

This year was the first time in PPI-NI history that we had over 200 participants at our Jingle Ball tournament. A true testament to all the hard work that our staff put into the programme.

2 – Gifts from President and First Lady Obama

Receiving six Mac laptops from the President and First Lady as part of the Royal Charitable Gift Fund was amazing. This gift is a great help to Coordinators and International Fellows in the daily running of the programme.

1 – The Prince William and Catherine Middleton, Royal Charitable Gift Fund

To be a part of this fund is and honor and to be recognized for all the efforts that PPI-NI puts into its core mission is overwhelming. All staff, board members and friends off PPI-NI are very thankful for contributions like this one, that help develop and improve our programme.

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by | January 11, 2012 · 2:50 pm

PPI – NI Welcomes Tony McGaharan to the Team!

Tony McGaharan poses with some of our participants.

It’s a new year and PPI-NI is off to a great start with a new home, in the reputable Peace House, and the addition of a new member to our team. Last week, veteran PPI-NI coach, Tony McGaharan, joined our team as a full-time temporary Project Coordinator to assist in the organization and implementation of a number of our programs. Over the past five years, Tony has featured as a coach at our Twinnings and our annual tournaments, Jingle Ball and Spring Jam. However, this is the first time Tony has been involved in the operations side of PPI-NI. Below is an interview with Tony:

How are you enjoying your new role?

So far, so great! This is my first experience of working ‘behind-the-scenes’ with PPI. As a coach, I rarely considered the amount of work, planning and preparation that was needed to organize a Twinning program. The team do an excellent job of making it all come together. I’m enjoying working with the schools, venues and transport companies to plan the Twinnings that I will be leading. It’s exciting to be involved from start to finish.

What are the differences between being a coach and working in the office?

There are a few obvious distinctions but the one constant I have found is that the PPI culture is evident both in the office and out in the field. I’ve found that there is a great energy, sense of purpose and supportive environment in the office as there is at every Twinning or event.  Of course, one small difference is that we don’t normally play Dribble Knock-Out or have games of Scramble during our coffee breaks. How fun would that be?

How will your background in Education contribute to the organization?

Yesterday I was facilitating the OCN Level 1 course, ‘Understanding Diversity through Sport’, which was designed by PPI-NI. In this type of role, I am able to use the skills and knowledge, which I developed during my time at university, to improve the quality of the learning experience for the young people. I am a strong advocate of the use of effective questioning to promote active learning. This is a core feature of the courses that PPI-NI delivers to young adults.

What is your favorite aspect of your new job?

It is that I am working for an organization that is trying to make a positive impact in the lives of young people. Growing up in Northern Ireland, I have experienced first-hand the damaging effects of discrimination and intolerance. I attended an integrated school (Lagan College Belfast) and I strongly believe that bringing young people together is the most crucial ingredient in helping create a more tolerant, inclusive and integrated society. And, what better way to unite children than through the greatest game in the world?

What are your future goals within the organization?

I am grateful to have been accepted to fill this position. Currently, I am focusing on being as helpful and open-minded as I can be. I am learning a lot from each member of our team. They’ve been incredibly patient and willing to show me the ropes. As the organization grows, continuing to reach out to more young people, I hope I can bring enthusiasm, fresh-thinking and new ideas that will help to advance the PPI-NI mission.

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by | December 7, 2011 · 3:00 pm

PPI-NI Jingle Ball a Jangling Success!

This past Saturday, PeacePlayers International – Northern Ireland hosted its largest dance competition ever! Over 200 participants showed up to compete and display their best dance moves. Afterwards, we had a basketball tournament!

Jingle Ball was a splendid success! With over 200 participants and approximately 50 volunteers, Jingle Ball 2011 was the largest PeacePlayers tournament in recent years. The day’s activities at Stranmillis College in Belfast included basketball games, team-building sessions, and a raucous game of Jingle Ball Jeopardy! All fourteen primary schools involved in our primary school twinning program sent students in attendance. Below are a few snapshots highlighting the day’s activities:

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