Donegal sport unites to Show Racism the Red Card

Show Racism the Red Card launch event – MC11:30pm-2pm AURA Centre LetterkennyMonday 13th October 2008Chairman of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Sports and Tourism Pat ‘the Cope’ Gallagher TD will be in the Letterkenny Aura Leisure Centre this coming Monday 13th October to launch Show Racism the Red Card in Donegal.The Show Racism the Red Card education pack will be launched, for distribution to all schools in Donegal. This will involve presentation of the DVD education pack and a Questions & Answer session involving young people and local sporting legends. The event will also formally launch Finn Harps Show Racism the Red Card poster campaign.After the launch of the education pack, there will be a multiple sports coaching session delivered by development officers of Basketball Ireland, Badminton Ireland, Football Association of Ireland, GAA and IRFU.The Minister for Integration Conor Lenihan has identified sports bodies and local authorities as key to supporting integration. This event has involved local authorities, sports and community development bodies. The day is supported by Donegal Sports Partnership, Basketball Ireland, FAI, GAA, IRFU, Finn Harps, Letterkenny Community Development Project, Donegal Asylum Seekers Support Group.The resource pack is sponsored by the FAI and the Office of the Minister for Integration and supported by the Basketball Ireland, Gaelic Players Association, Professional Footballers Association of Ireland and the Irish Sports Council. Attending as part of a panel to take part in a questions and answer session with young people on the topic of Racism in Ireland will be Finn Harps players Conor Gethins and Eloka Asokah, Donegal County GAA player Rory Kavanagh, International Badminton player Chloe Magee, International Cricket Player Ryan Haire and others.Speaking ahead of the event, Show Racism the Red Card Co-ordinator, Mr Garrett Mullan said: ‘The education pack is structured to support teachers from primary and secondary school level to address the issue of racism. Research reveals that racism is a feature of Irish society with one in three immigrants declaring that they have experienced racism. With this education pack, we aim to combat racism and promote integration through the effective use of sports stars as role models, in particular for young people’.Donegal Sports Partnership Co-ordinator Myles Sweeney said: ‘The cultural landscape of Ireland has changed considerably over the last decade. Change brings responsibilities, opportunities for integration and challenges of racism. Sport has the potential to bring people together and overcome these tough challenges’.Contact:Garrett Mullan, National Coordinator 086 392 7650www.theredcard.ie info@theredcard.ieMyles Sweeney, Coordinator, Donegal Sports Partnershipwww.activedonegal.com info@activedonegal.com 086 8561415