Basketball Northern Ireland has been awarded over £30,000 from The Northern Ireland Executive, through the Together: Building a United Community (T:BUC) and Good Relations programme, to deliver its project, Connecting Communities Through Basketball.
The project will use basketball as a tool to bring people from different religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds together, helping to build friendships, understanding, and a more united community.
This is the second year that Basketball Northern Ireland has received this funding, building on the success of last year’s programmes. In 2025/26, the support has also enabled the organisation to create a part-time Community Good Relations Coordinator role, dedicated to leading the delivery of the programme. Basketball Northern Ireland is excited to welcome its new staff member, who will help roll out activities across Northern Ireland in the coming months.
A year of community-focused activity
The programme will see young people, families, and women across Northern Ireland take part in inclusive basketball initiatives, including:
- Good Relations School Programme – 8-week sessions across 16 schools, engaging over 300 pupils aged 9–15 across 4 locations.
- Regional Basketball Blitz Days – tournament-style events bringing schools together to reinforce shared learning.
- Summer Camps – four 3-day camps offering basketball and good relations workshops for 120 young people.
- Welcome Basketball – sessions designed for newcomer and ethnic minority families.
- Social Basketball – recreational programmes for women and girls in across 3 locations.
Promoting inclusion through sport
Marc Mulholland, Vice Chairperson of Basketball Northern Ireland, said:
“This funding allows us to use basketball as a bridge between communities, helping young people and families from all backgrounds connect in a positive, inclusive environment. Sport has the power to break down barriers, and we are proud to deliver a programme that supports good relations and community integration across Northern Ireland.”
The programme directly supports the T:BUC priorities of bringing communities together and promoting positive attitudinal change among young people and families.
Notes.
- Connecting Communities Through Basketball is funded by The Northern Ireland Executive, Together: Building a United Community (T:BUC) and the Central Good Relations Fund.
- The ‘Together: Building a United Community’ (T:BUC) Strategy, reflects the Executive’s commitment to improving community relations and continuing the journey towards a more united and shared society. The strategy outlines how government, community and individuals will work together to build a united community.
- For more information about the project, please contact:
Basketball Northern Ireland
Email: goodrelations@basketballni.com