6 days ago
Summer camp cancellation ‘was not influenced' by Orange lodge, says North Down Cricket Club
North Down Cricket Club issued a statement this afternoon confirming the move to call off the event was made 'before any comment or statement from Goldsprings Lodge.'
The cricket club planned the sports summer camp for young people from different backgrounds, including the involvement of 10 different groups, one of which was the East Belfast GAA.
But a local Orange Order lodge said there were concerns among local residents about the 'perceived move of the GAA into the local community'.
North Down Cricket Club had previously stated that they cancelled the event because of fears the 'spirit of the camp was at risk of being lost'.
The Comber-based group stated that camp was instead cancelled on Monday morning following concerns that that were 'raised privately – and later publicly.'
In a fresh statement on their website, a spokesperson said: 'Over the past few days, we've been overwhelmed by the many messages of support from across Comber and beyond — from club members, former players, parents, and friends from all walks of life. We're grateful for every one of them.
'We also want to be clear on a couple of facts. The event was cancelled on Monday morning following concerns raised privately — and later publicly on social media.
'This decision was taken before any comment or statement from Goldsprings Lodge, and was not influenced by them. We're grateful to them for subsequently reaching out in a spirit of clarity and respectful communication.
'We're proud of the friendships we've built across the community, including long-standing ties with Goldsprings and many other local lodges. Many of our members have links in both directions, and we fully respect the contribution these organisations have made to the fabric of Comber — and to this club.'
'There's been a lot of noise around this issue, much of it from outside Comber,' the spokesperson added. 'That may suit some agendas — but it's not who we are. We're just a cricket club, with deep roots in this town, doing our best to provide children with every chance to thrive — on and off the field.'
It comes after deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly expressed her disappointment at the cancellation of a cross-community sports camp in Co Down.
First Minister Michelle O'Neill also repeated her dismay after the event planned to take place in Comber was called off.
MLA Kellie Armstrong 'disgusted' after children's cricket club cancelled after opposition to GAA Club
On Wednesday, Cricket Ireland announced it plans to step in to arrange a similar sports camp at Stormont later this month.
Speaking during a visit to the Open in Portrush on Thursday, Ms O'Neill and Ms Little-Pengelly both expressed disappointment at what had happened.
Ms Little-Pengelly said 'while there are legitimate questions to be asked of the GAA around their lack of inclusion, this is not the time or place'.
'Sport can be a great unifier,' she said.
'It's been really disappointing, very saddened to see that the club felt that they had to cancel this particular summer camp.
'I've reached out, and I've been speaking to the North Down Cricket Club.
'Of course, there are legitimate questions to be asked of the GAA around their lack of inclusion and the barriers that many feel to participation, but this is not the time or place. The time and place for that is not a children's summer camp.
'Cricket has been a great unifier right across all different types of religions, races, politics, we see that play out every single week, and I think it's really disappointing that these young people won't get that opportunity to play cricket at that summer camp but I'm continuing to work with the club, and with others, to see what the opportunities may be in the future.'
Meanwhile, Ms O'Neill said she was 'quite dismayed by the fact that somebody thought it was appropriate to actually advocate against that'.
'I was so deeply disappointed that anyone thought it was appropriate to advocate that these kids should not be invited along," she added.
'For kids to come together through the medium of sport. It's just something that should always be a positive experience. So it makes me really sad to actually hear that someone doesn't want those kids to be invited.
'It's just totally not acceptable. Young people should play sport together, young people from all different backgrounds should always be encouraged to come together.'
It comes as Holywood-born actor Jamie Dornan also waded into the row, commenting on an animated video based on the controversy.
The creator of the animated skit, Patrick Maguire, is well known online for his satirical portrayal of current events in Northern Ireland.
Responding on Instagram in a comment under the post, Dornan wrote: 'Terrifyingly accurate as usual.'
Separately, Sinn Fein MLA Colm Gildernew has called on the Communities Minister to support the alternative summer camp at Stormont which will replace the cancelled Comber event.
He said: 'As the minister responsible for sport, Gordon Lyons should be vocal in supporting events where children and young people can play together, learn new sports, make friends and build relationships.'
