Last semester, you will recall that PPI-NI orchestrated it’s patented Cross-Community Basketball League (CCL) in Antrim between Rathenraw Youth Club, St. Comgall’s Youth Club, and Parkhall Youth Club for kids aged 14-17. It was the first time in a long time that there was collaboration and connection between various youth clubs in the town of Antrim. 20 pupils participated in the programme and were administered PPI-NI’s Open College Network Level I course “Diversity in Sport.” While it was only a 5 week programe, PPI-NI was extremely pleased, but not shocked, to hear that following the programme there was additional cooperation between the three Youth Clubs in various schemes and programmes but also the particiapnts from the three youth clubs would occasionally make plans to see each other socially, away from their Youth Clubs.
With this as a starting point, PPI-NI ran another CCL in Antrim. This time with children aged 9-13 from the three youth clubs in addition to a fourth one, Stiles Youth club, also from Antrim. For the past 5 Thursdays, 25-30 screaming kids would fill the halls of Parkhall Integrated Junior College’s school hall with the sound of bouncing basketballs, bank shots, and community-relations discussions and activities. It was such a success, that 15 members from Rathenraw Youth Club decided to make the 45 minute journey into Belfast on June 2nd to participate in PPI-NI’s year-end Spring Jam tournament. Sometimes, it’s amazing what can happen in just 5 weeks between kids who have never met one another.
Enjoy the video below highlighting some of the scenes from the past 5 weeks. Look out for the special “Jonah Dance!” as performed by Rathenraw’s own Jonah Crawford.
