Northern Ireland Club of the Month

Club of the Month 2005/2006

April - Craigavon/Portadown Club

Congratulations to the Playing for Peace Craigavon/Portadown Panthers Club for being selected the Club of the Month for April 2006. PFP Craigavon/Portadown Panthers has blossomed into a fully functioning Playing for Peace club after its inaugural season. Throughout our year in Craigavon/Portadown our weekly attendance has tripled! It has been an exciting year as we watch this young club participate in many awesome events as we continue to evolve.

Through the second part of our season the Panther's donned their green & black to participate in both the Jingle Ball Classic and Spring Jam tournaments--honing our skills and spending time together ‘off the court' was our biggest success! Following our Christmas break we indulged in a swimming & pizza party to celebrate all of the clubs success—a perfect opportunity for the kids to get to know each other and share some waves. Finally, we wrapped the year up with a Hot Shots Shooting & Skills Competition to raise money for the club. Ciaran O'Neill and Connor Loughran were our respective winners and are due big CONGRATULATIONS! With the success of the competition we were able to buy club t-shirts.

Throughout the season, the PFP Craigavon/Portadown Panthers were able to test their new skills and play in several “friendly” matches throughout Northern Ireland , including our PfP-NI rivals, the Cookstown Wildcats. Much anticipation surrounds the club, as the Panthers plan to become officially part of the UBA next year with an under 12 Boy's team entering into competition.

It is with great pleasure and pride that I announce the Craigavon/Portadown Leaders of the Month...Ross Heaney & Adam McGee. Both boys have been committed to the club and bring an unmatched enthusiasm each week, setting a positive tone to the rest of our participants! Well done!

The overwhelming success of the club has acted as a channel into the community and future growth of the game through a single-identity program set up with PfP-NI and the Craigavon Borough Council; and a summer camp for the participants! This will better enable those attending the session more individual coaching and skill development.

GO PANTHERS GO!

December
Limavady Club

Congratulations to Playing for Peace Limavady Lightning Basketball Club for being selected the club of the month for December 2005! This month was full of enthusiasm and energy as the Lightning prepared to host the Jingle Ball Classic at the Roe Valley Leisure Center . All of the children have come to feel a sense of pride in the Leisure Center and were eager to welcome the rest of the PFP-NI family on the day of the tournament!

The participation from the Limavady Lightning at the Jingle Ball Classic was the highest of any PFP-NI club! All of the children came excited to play and compete with others from around Northern Ireland . It was great to see local volunteers and PFP staff come together and work hard to ensure that the tournament was a huge success! Thanks to everyone who got involved and a special thanks to Ollie Mullan and the entire staff at the Roe Valley Leisure Center for all of their help leading up to and throughout the day.

The energy at each of the Limavady Lightning club sessions has been unbelievable and the players have come each week eager to learn and raise their level of basketball play. The club participation has been great both in terms of number of players each week and enthusiasm for all club related events. In the coming months the club is looking forward to playing competitive matches against other PFP club teams in Northern Ireland . We are all working towards the goal of having two official Limavady Lightning clubs registered in the Ulster Basketball Association by the end of the year. This goal is well within reach as the level of play has improved dramatically over the last few months and there is significant interest in the community to support the team! Congratulations again to the entire club and looking forward to continuing the success for the rest of the year!

October
North Star

Congratulations PfP North Star on being selected club of the month! The month of October was a momentous month for the club and it was obvious that the children and coaches deserved this recognition. The children and coaches all worked extremely hard to make sure that their first UBA matches ran smoothly and a lot of fun was had. The first day of league games could not have been any more successful. PfP North Star has begun to create a tremendous buzz within the city of Derry/Londonderry . The junior club teams have set a tremendous level of expectations for all PfP clubs to reach. Everyone is very optimistic about the year to come.

On the second Saturday of October, three of the four PfP North Star teams competed in matches against the Letterkenny Blaze. All of the children played with great enthusiasm and sportsmanship. On that Saturday in St. Columb's College, the hall was filled with a tremendous amount of excitement and energy. The under 14 boys and girls competed, as did the under 16 boys. Throughout the afternoon chants of “Let's Go North Star” and “DE-FENSE” were at times deafening within the hall. Each team watched, supported and cheered each other on with great enthusiasm and passion. Each player left the gym with a strong sense of pride in the PfP North Star club. It was quite obvious to everyone involved that the concept and work PfP North Star has done up to this point has truly made a strong impact on the lives of the children involved.

That momentous Saturday at St. Columb's College was also the focal point of a BT news radio broadcast. The radio show discussed the various outlets that are available for children within the city of Derry/Londonderry . The coaches interviewed spoke about the amazing benefits that they continually see in the PfP North Star club. Several children were also interviewed and they too expressed their mutual love and appreciation for the chance to play basketball and be a part of the PfP North Star family.

With the first game jitters out of the player's systems, all coaches and players are looking forward to a successful season to come. Their hard work and passion will continue to be unmatched as they move forward. Looking forward, the PfP North Star club will focus on raising money to purchase kits for each individual team. Furthermore, the club is in the early stages of planning an amazing PfP North Star night filled with bowling, food and fun.

The PfP North Star Club would like to make a special thanks to Emmett Harkin, Kieran Temple , Ciaran Lockhart, Danielle Friedman, Aaron McGowan, and Gary Campbell, all outstanding coaches of their respected PfP North Star junior league teams. They all did a tremendous job creating passionate teams who play with a great deal of pride and sportsmanship. Congratulations again to the PfP North Star club and we look forward to a successful year for each team!

September
Cookstown Basketball Club

Congratulations to the Playing for Peace Cookstown Club for being selected the first club of the month for September 2005. PFP Cookstown has blossomed into Playing for Peace's largest club in a matter of a few weeks. Last year's average attendance averaged around 24 for a two hour session. This year, in a matter of four weeks, PFP Cookstown's club numbers have tripled. And just last Friday, the club set a new attendance record with 75 excited basketballers from Cookstown Primary/High School, Holy Trinity Primary/College, St. Mary's College, St. Patrick's Academy/College, East Tyrone College, Ballylifford Primary School, Loop Primary School, and Dungannon Integrated in attendance. Experienced players, as well as newcomers have come to better understand the game and sharpen their basketball skills.

Shane McGahan and Mickey Campbell, PFP Cookstown's Youth Basketball Instructors, and I are quite excited about the progress the club is making. Both have done a stellar job in helping develop individual skill. Each individual player has improved his or her skill tremendously over the past four weeks, as well as showing a true passion for the game. There is still much work to do and the future is bright for PFP Cookstown.

Currently, PFP Cookstown is forming an under 12 girl's team and an under 14 boy's team to play in several “friendly” matches throughout Northern Ireland . The two teams will become officially part of the UBA next year. This is truly exciting progress for the club, because PFP Cookstown has never had a team in these respective age groups. Shane will take on the task of coaching the already established 14 under girl's team in its second year of competition. Mickey will be coaching PFP Cookstown under 12 boys, who are all ready to start their new season with games against rival North Star and Armagh . We wish them the best of luck this year.

The overwhelming success of the club has not only led to new under 12 girl's and under 14 boy's teams, but the Cookstown Leisure Center has graciously offered to pay for two additional baskets for the club to operate. This will better enable those attending the session more individual coaching and skill development. On behalf of Shane, Mickey, and I, we would like to not only thank the Cookstown Leisure Center for its generosity, but Eunan Murray as well for his help in orchestrating the new purchase.

Finally, PFP Cookstown would like to thank its committee members, Iris Burns and Rhona Martin for their help during club sessions. Without their help, PFP Cookstown has become the largest Playing for Peace club currently operating in Northern Ireland . Both deserve credit for their help and I am excited about working with them in the future to better PFP Cookstown.

April
Limavady Lightning Basketball Club

Congratulations to the Limavady Lightning Basketball Club for being named the Playing for Peace Club (PfP) of the Month for April! The honor is well deserved as the kids have worked very hard over the past few months in their preparations for the year end tournament. Participation on both the boys' and girls' side of the continues to be strong, and their improvement as young players is a reflection of their dedication to the game. Expectations are high going into the PfP Club Championship (to be held in Derry on April 16th) and the 3rd Annual PfP Spring Jam (to be held in Belfast on April 23rd).

The Limavady Lightning boys and girls U-12 (under 12 years old) teams have both qualified as the #1 seeds from the Western Education and Library Board for the upcoming PfP Club Championship. The boys finished the regular season 3-0 with hard fought victories over the Claudy and Northstar Clubs, while the girls finished 1-1 with their only loss coming in a non-conference match against an U-12 club from Lifford.

The great strides of improvement made over the past few months are encouraging, and it's safe to say that Limavady might soon be known as home to one of the best up-and-coming basketball clubs in all of Ireland.

Thanks must go out to all who have contributed to the clubs growing success, not the least of whom are coaches Ciaran Lockhart and Sam Barbee. Their knowledge of basketball has helped the kids along tremendously. Also, special thanks go out to Ollie Mullan, the sports development officer in Limavady, whose support of the club will undoubtedly allow it to be successful for many years to come.

March
Cookstown Club

Congratulations to the Cookstown Basketball Club for being selected the Playing for Peace Club (PFP) of the Month for March 2005. The Cookstown Club participants are a deserving group due to their hard work and dedication over the course of the school year. Each player has shown great improvement, especially since the onset of the PFP club league. Great job Cookstown!

The U-12 (under 12 years old) boys’ team showed great resilience by beating Dungannon two weeks ago, a team they had previously lost to. This is just one example of the tremendous improvement the team has made.

Other club accomplishments include: new kits/uniforms touting the club’s nickname, “WILDCATS”; the girls’ team currently undefeated season; unselfishness and team play. Selfless team play goes beyond each team – because the girls’ and boys’ always stay after their games are finished to cheer on one another. The kids genuinely care for one another, which is a pleasure for the coaches.

The club recently attended an intensely played Super-League basketball game in Belfast where the kids stormed the court after the last basket to pursue autographs (some even using their arms as a signing area for signatures).

On the upcoming agenda, the club is looking forward to the much anticipated PFP, Spring Jam, which will place in April.

A thank you is in order to Rhona Shepard and Iris Burns in their roles as Cookstown Club Committee members. Their hard work has been invaluable to the club.

Thank you to all the club members’ enthusiasm and everyone else who has made the Cookstown club such a great success.

February
Northstar

Congratulations to the Northstar Basketball Club for being selected as the Playing for Peace Club of the Month for February 2005! The club members’ excellent attendance, enthusiasm, and sportsmanship are the reasons this club stands out. The club is located at St. Columb’s Park in Derry. It used to be called the St. Columb’s Park Club but is now being recognized as part of the Northstar Basketball Club. The Northstar Basketball Club is a growing cross community club in Derry. The club now has a Premiership team, a Division 2 team, and sixteen, fourteen, twelve and under teams. The club being recognized is the Junior club which is the twelve and under team. This takes place on Tuesday for girls and Wednesday for boys. It is for children under the ages of twelve, and runs an hour long from 3:30 to 4:30.

The members of the club took place in both the Halloween Classic and Jingle Ball and displayed great attitudes and joy while playing the game. The members are looking forward to playing scrimmages against other local clubs and for the end of the year tournament in Belfast. We are also going to have a pizza night, and a night when the children can attend a Northstar Premiership match versus the archrival Tyrone Towers.

Currently there are about twenty boys and twenty girls regularly attending the club sessions. Not only have they improved their basketball skills, but have also developed camaraderie as teammates. The club has been successful because of the eagerness of the children to build the club and also due to the help from Youth Basketball Instructors Kieran Temple and Ciaran Lockhart.

The members are looking forward to the upcoming activities in the Spring and are very proud of their club of the month accomplishment!

January
Armagh Club

Congratulations to the Armagh basketball club for being selected as the Playing for Peace Club of the Month! Members of the Armagh club have exhibited an incredible level of enthusiasm and dedication since September. And it seems only fitting to recognize them for their many successes in basketball and personal development. Way to go Armagh!

The Armagh Basketball Club is now in its second year of existence. For the past two years the club has flourished in a variety of ways. Players have become more skilled and countless friendships have been forged amongst members. Last semester the Armagh boy’s team was crowned champions at the Halloween Classic. This semester we have continued with the same winning spirit and drive. January 29th marked the first ever club league games between Armagh and Dungannon. Armagh prevailed in two out of three of the matches. The newly named Armagh “HOYAS” were ecstatic over their first league wins ever. We expect to continue with our positive attitudes and winning efforts throughout the season.

This semester we also hope to take party in a variety of extracurricular activities. Within the next month or so we are planning a trip to attend a Hockey Game in Belfast. A banquet for club members and parents is also in the works for April. We can’t wait to see what else is in store for us throughout the next few months!

I would like to extend a genuine thanks to all those who assisted in making Armagh such a thriving and fantastic club. I would especially like to thank our two Youth Basketball Instructor’s Mike Calo and Peter Kerr for doing such an outstanding job of helping coach these youngsters. But most importantly, I would like to thank the Armagh club for demonstrating a tremendous amount of effort and commitment throughout the year.

November
New Buildings Club

Congratulations to the New Buildings Basketball Club for being selected as the Playing for Peace Club of the Month for November 2004! We are very proud of each and every club member who has contributed to the growing success of the club over the past few months, and as attendance continues to increase and the club members continue to improve, we can expect the New Buildings Club to be a major force in the upcoming PfP Jingle Ball Classic, to be held in the Roe Valley Leisure Center in Limavady, Northern Ireland.

The New Buildings Basketball Club sessions are held every Monday, after school, in the New Buildings Community Center, and club members come from both St. Columba’s Primary School and New Buildings Primary School. Just a month ago, only 5-7 kids were attending the sessions on a regular basis, but over the past two weeks, we have seen a boom in interest among the St. Columba’s and New Buildings students, and we now have over twenty-five club members who are playing ball, having fun, and gearing up for the next tournament. The club members, ages 8-12, are encouraging friends to play and we’re seeing new faces, eager to play basketball, on a weekly basis. At this rate, the New Buildings Basketball Club should certainly become, after a shaky start, the PfP comeback club of the fall.

A “Movie Night” for the club has been scheduled for December 6th at the New Buildings Community Center, and the kids are looking forward to eating pizza, watching a flick, having fun, and strategizing for the upcoming Jingle Ball Classic. The town of New Buildings, we have no doubt, will be well represented by these young lads and ladies, and we can only hope that the other clubs will be as energized and excited for the tournament.

Thanks to everyone whose efforts have contributed to the club’s recent success, including the many teachers at St. Columba’s Primary School and New Buildings Primary school who have encouraged and supported the new members, as well as Sam Barbee, one of our new Youth Basketball Instructors who has helped to make the club sessions fun and engaging for the kids. And thanks, most of all, to all the New Buildings Basketball Club members, and good luck at the Jingle Ball Classic!

October
Dungannon Club

Congratulations to the Dungannon Basketball Club for being selected as the Playing for Peace Club of the Month for October 2004. The Club holds its sessions at the Dungannon Leisure Center every Tuesday and Saturday for both boys and girls on both sides of the community to learn basketball skills and play games in an integrated environment. The Club is comprised of children aged 6-15 from 15 local primary and secondary schools. Dungannon is off to a wonderful start; local coaches have been hired, attendance records have been set, a “Movie Night” has been organized and preparations for the Halloween Classic Tournament have begun.

Four local coaches, called Youth Basketball Instructors, have been hired to help coach the Club sessions. Mickey Campbell, Sarah McGahan, Elanna Arthurs and Ian Burton have joined the PfP family and are responsible for organizing and running all the sessions. All the new coaches have a strong basketball background and will be a valuable resource to the organization.

On October 2nd, the Club set an attendance record for the current Club year, with 55 children participating in the Saturday session. This was a 31% increase from September’s Saturday high of 42. The sessions are currently running 60% boys and 40% girls, consistent with the average of the 2003-2004 metrics.

A “Movie Night” is being held on October 15th in the Dungannon Leisure Center. The night is a chance for the kids to strengthen their relationships with each other and to build Club unity in a non-basketball environment. Pizza has been donated by Cano’s Restaurant, a local pizza place in Dungannon, along with several local businesses which have donated door prizes including McDonald’s gift certificates, Halloween candy, video certificates and music store certificates.

Finally, the 3rd annual Halloween Classic Tournament is being held in Dungannon at Drumglass High School on October 23rd. The event will host approximately 150 children from across Northern Ireland and will include fun and exciting events such as matches, team building activities, skill contests, a DJ, food, and prizes.

Thanks to all the Program Directors, Youth Basketball Instructors, and especially the kids for the initial success of the Dungannon Club. We look forward to an exciting year!