PeacePlayers - Northern Ireland

19/08/2026

Are you based in Northern Ireland and passionate about youth work?

Do you want to help deliver sport and good relations programmes that bring young people together?

PeacePlayers NI is aiming to engage 3,000+ young people by 2031, and we’re looking for sports coaches across Belfast and beyond who believe in seeing people as people, are eager to learn, and want to help communities thrive.

Our coaches play a huge role in shaping the lives of young people. They step into their shoes, see the world from their perspective, and give them the space to grow, learn and feel supported. Most of all, they’re the reliable, friendly faces our participants look forward to seeing week in, week out.

If you’d like to get involved and give coaching a go, why not drop us a message to find out more. Or, email [email protected] directly for your application pack.

We’d love to hear from you. 🤝

17/08/2026

Our next five years. Our shared ambition.

We’re delighted to launch our Strategic Plan 2026-2031.

Building on more than 20 years of bringing young people together through sport, our strategy sets out how we will deepen our impact, develop young leaders, strengthen communities, respond to emerging challenges and build a sustainable future.

By 2031, we aim to engage 3,000+ young people annually in sustained programmes and support 100+ young people through leadership pathways each year.

At the heart of it all remains one simple belief:
Seeing People as People.

Thank you to every young person, family, school, coach, partner, supporter and funder who has helped shape our journey so far.

When young people play together, they learn to live together. And when they learn to live together, communities thrive.

10/08/2026

Let’s hear it for Caitlin 💙👏

On Friday night, Junior Development Programme (JDP) participant Caitlin stood up in front of her peers and coaches and delivered a speech about her PeacePlayers journey so far, and the genuine impact JDP has had on her.

We’re incredibly proud of everything Caitlin has achieved and so grateful she felt comfortable sharing her story with us.

She’s been a standout leader in JDP, and we can’t wait to see her continue to grow in the Leadership Development Programme next year. 🙌

Thank you, Caitlin.🌟

08/08/2026

Last night we wrapped up another brilliant term of our Junior Development Programme (JDP) and Leadership Development Programme (LDP) 🙌

Both groups, and their coaches, came together to look back on their progress, celebrate milestones and enjoy a night of basketball, games, chilling out and pizza before the awards ceremony. It was also a chance to celebrate our JDP participants who have now graduated and will move into LDP, as well as our LDP participants who officially completed their programme and will continue growing into leadership roles within PeacePlayers as coaches. 🌟

Huge congratulations to Isla and Emily, our JDP of the Year and LDP of the Year winners. The sisters were recognised by their peers and coaches for their commitment and leadership! 👏

Our LDP participants also received their Plus Sport certificates, celebrating the training they’ve completed throughout the year.

One final shoutout to James and Caitlin in our JDP programme who had full attendance this term, two role models who continue to give their all in every session. 🥳

Both programmes give young people the tools, confidence and space to grow as leaders. Keep an eye out… applications for the next term open soon 👀

07/08/2026

PeacePlayers NI is based in Peace House, home of the Peace People, a movement born out of one of the most tragic events of the Troubles, when the three young Maguire children were killed.

This Monday, 10 August 2026, marks the 50th anniversary of their deaths.

As the photograph above shows, in 1976 thousands of people from every background across Northern Ireland came together in response to the tragedy and demanded an end to the violence. It took far too many years before violence gave way to dialogue and political leadership, but eventually it did.

As we look around our world today, we are reminded that peacebuilding is a marathon with no finish line. It is vital that we continue to support those who choose dialogue over division, and hope over hatred, because lasting peace can never be taken for granted.

The best tribute we can pay to the Maguire children is not only to remember them, but to continue building the kind of relationships that make violence less likely and peace more possible. Every young person who learns to see people as people is part of that legacy.

06/08/2026

It’s not goodbye, it’s see you later! 👋

Two weeks on, we’re still grateful for every moment with our teammates from PeacePlayers - Middle East 🏀🤝🌍

05/08/2026

04/08/2026

Yesterday, three of our participants said they wouldn’t trade our coaches for anything. 🥹

The funny part? Our coaches would happily trade every single participant for… chicken, a boomerang ball (don’t ask 🤯), suitable footwear, or even a free trip to Japan!

But what was Leadership Development Programme (LDP) participant Amy’s actual question? 🤔

Drop your best guess in the comments 👇

03/08/2026

These three young leaders wouldn’t trade the PeacePlayers coaches for anything… but do the coaches feel the same? 🤨

What do you think the coaches will say? Keep an eye on our socials to find out…

31/07/2026

Celebrating our Awards Winners from the final day of our 2026 Interface Games camp!

On this day, the brilliant student-athletes from Student-Athletes Abroad hosted an American Sports Day taking our participants through different stations of American sports and teaching them the fundamentals needed for each sport.

Huge congratulations to everyone that went home with an award. This week of camp was a special one and we’re excited to continue sharing content from the week. 🙌