5 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Little-Pengelly ‘disappointed' by kids' sport camp cancellation, but says there are ‘legitimate questions' for GAA
First Minister Michelle O'Neill also repeated her dismay after the event planned to take place in Comber was called off after local residents had concerns around the inclusion of the GAA.
North Down Cricket Club had 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'.
The North Down Cricket Club said it cancelled the event because it felt the spirit of the camp was at risk of being lost.
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.
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'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.'
Young people should play sport together, young people from all different backgrounds should always be encouraged to come together
Michelle O'Neill, First Minister
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.'
