Jimmy Mowlds (FAI Development OfficerReport on Raheny / Clontarf Garda Fai, DCC BlitzThe whole project engaged nearly 50
0 boys and girls from Clontarf, Harmonstown Killester and Raheny.The Project focused on Anti-Bullying and Personal Safety and Show Racism The Red Card for 5th Class Primary Schools. Raheny /Clontarf Community Gardai led by Sgt Jim Clavin ran the Personal Safety and Anti Bullying modules in September.Four Gardai deliver in partnership with FAI Development Officers delivered the the Show Racism The Red Card classroom talks. We had 21 classes to deliver the full Show Racism The Red Card programme to and we only had 3 days to do it.The Ballymun Project Futsal Hub led by Jamie Wilson and Paul Whelan got involved and organised and ran the football sessions with the students and interns which was a very difficult task given the locations of the schools and the time span involved.
We then gave every class a country to represent as part of the Show Racism The Red Card world cup with the teachers picking a squad of players to play for that country. The rest of the class making banners and flags to support them.Denis Hyland and the Corduff Project Futsal Hub organised the groups and fixtures for the Blitz. They also refereed and co-ordinated the teams on the day. The Gardai transported all the schools to and from the event and actively staffed the day as well.The Deputy Garda Commissioner Nasie Rice attended the event and was full of praise for the professionalism the Project Futsal staff showed in dealing with over 420 boys and girls. We ran a supporters zone with Street Striker, Crossbar Challenge and penalty shootout competitions with prizes for the winners supplied by Summer Soccer Schools.The only reason this project was successful was that alot of people came together and made it work these include FAI D.O. David Rake,Intercultural dept.Project Futsal Ballymun and Corduff Summer Soccer Schools,DCC,Sgt Jim Clavin and Raheny /Clontarf Community Gardai.The Gardai have started planning for this event for 2013 and are looking at expanding it to surrounding areas.
