F4P CONSULTANCY

Football for Peace visited the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland to witness the work of the new cross border 'Gateway Soccer' Project. The trip was organised by Damien McColgan who 'observed' and took part in the July 2007 project in Israel. Four F4P coaches led by John Lambert, 'A' License Coach and Senior Lecturer at the Univeristy of Brighton, worked with coaches and children from both sides of the border sharing the values and the coaching methodology that has been successful in Israel.
Irish FA Head of Community Relations and former F4P volunteer, Michael Boyd explained the significance of project at its launch: “With support from the EU Programme for Peace and Reconciliation, IRDL and Co-operation Ireland both the Irish FA and FA Ireland were happy to support the Gateway Project. Gateway is all about using football as a tool to promote Good Relations, using an innovative Value Based Coaching Manual and setting up sustainable relationships to promote positive Interculturalism among boys and girls of all ability levels on both sides of the border in the North West. Gateway is first and foremost all about the promotion of positive Community Relations and the sport of football is the key to make this happen.”