CROMWELL JUNIOR FOOTBALL CLUB.  Cromwell is a town in Central Otago in the Otago region of New Zealand. Cromwell is between State Highway 6 and State Highway 8 leading to the Lindis Pass, 75 km northeast, and Alexandra, 33 km south. A prominent feature surrounding much of the town is the man-made Lake Dunstan. Cromwell is about to have the first ever peace pitch in New Zealand. 

THE FIRST PEACE FIELD PROJECT PEACE PITCH, AUSTRALIA

Updated 18/10/2024

Football United invited The Children’s Football Alliance to the first ever Peace Field Project Peace Pitch in Australia. The children and staff of Miller Technology High School, Sydney, welcomed the CFA’s Ernie Brennan and Paul Cooper. The guys facilitated games that are played at the Global Peace Games, Peace Village, Mesen, Belgium. Football United’s Pru, Noor, Natashia and Anne Anne Bunde-Birouste, founder of Football United, joined in the activities which were described by football player Mohamed as fun fun fun.

‘There is a great sense of community through play on the peace pitch and there is a lot of self-learning with children from diverse back grounds‘ Pru

‘The kids enjoyed it and the staff enjoyed it too. Our Peace Pitch brings young and old together through play. We celebrate diversity and the Peace Pitch lends itself to sportsmanship and friendship‘ Natasha.

‘

‘Everytime the kids come here to play they are reminded why we are here together. We are a special football club that values peace and harmony’ Anne Bunde-Birouste, founder of Football United

THE CHILDREN’S FOOTBALL ALLIANCE IN AUSTRALIA

CLICK HERE PFP AUSTRALIA

Update 03 / 12 /19

THE FIRST EVER PEACE PITCH IN AUSTRALIA is twinned with Flanders Peace Field, Belgium, site of the First World War 1914 Christmas Truces. Dr. Anne W. Bunde-Birouste, Founder and CEO, Football United, said,

‘This is a great honor to twin our peace pitch with the most historically significant peace field in the world.’

According to the First World War page on the Australian War Memorial website from a population of fewer than five million, 416,809 men enlisted, of which over 60,000 were killed and 156,000 wounded, gassed, or taken prisoner. The latest figure for those killed is given as 62,000.

Proudly displaying the Peace Fields Project plaque

Signing the Declaration for Peace Certificate

ALL GAMES PLAYED ON THE PEACE FIELD WILL BE PLAYED WITHOUT PREJUDICE AND WILL BE ALL INCLUSIVE

UNSW’s FOOTBALL UNITED AND miller TECHNOLOGY high school, SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, advocate peace through play for all.  UNSW’S Football united AND MILLER TECHNOLOGY HIGH SCHOOL peace field is officially twinned with Flanders Peace Field, Messines, Belgium.

FOOTBALL UNITED

Article 13 June 2013

F.U was developed from a vision that people’s love for Football (soccer) can be used to build opportunities for belonging, racial harmony and community cohesion. Begun with a goal to support refugee and newly arrived immigrant youth and families in their transition into Australian society, as the program implementation progressed, Football United leadership noted that often community sport, as currently practiced, is exclusive rather than inclusive.

Australian Children’s Football Alliance’s John Neil (JN) chats to Anne and Brad Carroll founders of the very special Football United

(JN) What is the overview of FU and who benefits?

The Football United Vision is based on a Community Development, Determinants-based Health Promotion and Positive Social Change approach that underpins all Football United interventions. Importantly all FUn programs engage with local partner groups, and all intervention sites involve extensive partner consultation and engagement, resulting in site-specific activities that are particularly adapted to the needs and realities of those sites. While intervention components are similar or the same in the different sites, (eg. Coach training, regular playing opportunities, access to leadership opportunities), flexibility and adaptation according to site specifics is vital for an effective program impact and community outcomes.

(JN) Are there a set of Football United principles?

FU use community building, social development principles;

– partnership-based approach which involves working with the community and community leaders to identify and address local needs;
– all programs systematically include local engagement, capacity building and leadership development programs, which developing self-esteem and leadership skills whilst building community morale and participation.

(JN) So where has FU come from and where is it at now?

Founded in 2006, Football United has grown significantly from a 1 program Sydney’s Western suburbs to reach more than 3000 children and youth across Australia. Football United’s achievements include:

– Football United awarded 2012 Australian Parliamentary Community Sports Award
– Football United awarded 2011 New South Wales Building Inclusive Communities Award
– Football United film awarded Australian National Human Rights award, 2010
– One of 32 programs and the only Australian organisation chosen by FIFA to participate in first ever Festival for Hope World Cup tournament in June 2010
– Awarded UNSW University award for Community Engagement, 2009
– Secured Australian Research Council Linkage Grant to deliver a global first evaluation into the effectiveness of using Football to improve social cohesion in urban communities.

(JN) Can you tell us about the National Development?

In 2010 Football United established a non funding partnership with the Football Federation Australia (FFA) and secured a small grant from Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) to expand programs inter-state. In April 2010, with the support of the Queensland Government, Football United commenced the first inter-state project in Brisbane call Shinpads and Hijab’s. In 2011 Football United began its South Australia program in partnership with the University of South Australia-Adelaide. Further projects will commence in ACT, supported by Football ACT and many local partners in 2012, with requests from other states to begin new program or engage with local partner groups.

(JN) What about Football United and the International scene?

Football United is engaged in football for social development regionally and internationally. Football United’s CEO is also Australian representative to the Oceania Football Confederation’s Pacific Youth and Sport Forum, which was founded in 2010 by the OFC. Football United supports programs in Cameroon, South Sudan and a number of other programs through technical consulting. Football United was the first Australian member of the Streetfootball-world (SFW) network. SFW comprises more than 100 organisations worldwide, and works in partnership with FIFA. Football United was the Australian delegation participating in the first Streetfootballworld/FIFA 2010 Football for Hope Festival, an official event of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Football United has an official partnership with the FFA, is one of Sydney FC’s Charity partners, and works in collaboration and with support from a number of government, local and corporate bodies, as well as a significant number of volunteers.

(JN) Why football?

It is important to understand why football is seen as a tool that can be used to better society. Research suggests that participation in sport can be crucial in the development of young people. Health and fitness, through the pursuit of physical activity, is widely regarded as a key factor in personal development and many of the skills that are fundamental in sports participation, particularly in team sports, are transferable in wider aspects of life. Sport encourages strong community bonds, regular physical activity and access to positive mentors for young people. In disadvantaged communities these features are essential to social development of children and youths and building the capacity of the community more broadly. Among the various sports, Football, in particular, is an ideal tool to foster socialisation. It is the one single global sport, hence its appeal across all socio-cultural groups. In addition, it is relatively inexpensive, and is designed as a non-violent sport. It is played by both genders, thus is non-exclusive. It provides transferable skills of fair play, tolerance, inclusion and understanding of oneself, team mates and opponents alike. It teaches of responsibility, winning, losing and participation. It can address diverse and complex issues, such as children’s rights, peace building, education, health promotion and anti-discrimination. Most of all, however, it is fun.

(JN) What are the key issues related to the equity gap in participation?

Gaps in equity of access are apparent across many low SES communities : often community sport, as currently practiced, is excluding rather than inclusive. Participation is largely not possible for many socio-disadvantaged youth. Consequently, Football United, and its innovative approach, has been engaged in effectively addressing areas of social inequity and their ensuing impact on communities since 2006, addressing the following issues:

There are extreme gaps in equity of participation in sport in both the community sport arena as well as within the public education sector;
These gaps in participation translate to gaps in opportunity, which if not addressed, result in issues of disaffection in society (leaving school, aggressive behaviour, unemployment etc);
Misunderstanding of newly arrived immigrants and different cultures often translates further to racism……and the ensuing problems it provokes.
The above-mentioned phenomena highlight issues of inequity of access to sport, education, employment, health and community services in disadvantaged communities. Football United’s proven capacity and innovative approach of using Football as the vehicle to address these issues, through programs, research and advocacy, has resulted in rapid growth in demand across Western Sydney, interstate and now internationally. The issues highlighted below are central to the design and implementation of Football United with evidence taken from our own and others’ research and Government reports, including the 2009 Crawford Report, Children Sport, Youth Leadership Report and research by the Centre for Multicultural Youth Inc. and the Australian Bureau of Statistics all of which highlights:

– Very low participation rates of people from disadvantaged and multicultural backgrounds in sport and physical activity
– “Club sports are made up mostly of children from middleclass backgrounds, because participation requires adequate disposable income to pay for fees, uniforms, equipment and transport.” (Crawford)
– People born in Australia had participation rates (in organised sport) of 27%, compared to around 10% for people born in non-English speaking countries.” (CMYI)
– Long-term funding approaches are needed to address this issue and improve the ineffective distribution of short term, short sighted funding (Crawford, NSWDSR).
– “Government and NGO’s have historically supported one-off, short-term activities that limit the development of genuine community capacity and undermine the potential for sustainable community-run sport programs
– Developing neighbourhood programs, re-building schools’ systems, and training teachers are crucial to addressing the physical activity needs and interests of children, youth and families from diverse and disadvantaged backgrounds, enabling them to overcome their limited resources and better engage with educational and social systems (Crawford, CMYI, ASC).

Football United experiences, researches and addresses – in short knows and engages with these issues both intimately and extensively.

(JN) How does Football United address the needs?

Football United uses the globally attractive passion for the worldwide game to provide a pathway to engagement and development opportunities for disadvantaged youth, children and their families in communities with high proportions of people from, refugee, indigenous, migrant and lower socio-economic backgrounds. Football United runs 15 programs across Western Sydney, Adelaide and soon the ACT that improve their access to education, health services and physical activity. This is achieved through:

Provision of regular, free, accessible and localised football training and playing opportunities for up to 3000 children per year to improve social cohesion while increasing physical activity rates for disadvantaged children and youth.
Provide training and mentoring for 150 youth each year, through tailored programs in leadership, community coordination, football coaching qualifications, personal development and life-skills. A significant proportion of youth continue with the program as coaches and project coordinators.
Build extensive and collaborative relationships with diverse community-based partners as well as local and state government agencies. This includes training and development of staff in these organisations increasing their skills and enhancing the ongoing sustainability of the projects.
Create awareness of these issues through advocacy, high profile partners, ambassadors and ground-breaking research to ultimately influence changes to government policy and public perceptions.
These programs are all developed in collaboration with local stakeholders to meet the cultural needs and socio economic realities of the community targeted. The growth of Football United’ occurs based on demand and requests from communities with implementation achieved through partnerships with schools, Migrant Resource Centres and other local community groups.

Football United’s strengths lie in the diversity and experience of its management team, members and supporters. Football United gathers a diverse, multi-sectoral group, combining the skills of talented corporate leaders, the commitment of a wide range of community groups, NGOs, the engagement of academia, and supported by local and state government representatives. Through this rapidly expanding network Football United fosters the power of football to inspire and promote social justice and community development.

For more information contact footballunited.org.au

In partnership with Slum Soccer, M.R. MATRICULTUTION H.R. SEC. SCHOOL, CHENNAI, INDIA, is the first school in India to twin their playing pitch with Flanders Peace Field, Mesen, Belgium, site of The First World War Christmas Truces. Over one million Indian troops served overseas, of whom 62,000 died and another 67,000 were wounded. In total at least 74,187 Indian soldiers died during the war. In World War I the Indian Army fought against the German Empire in German East Africa and on the Western Front. M.G, Prabhakaran, said, ‘It was a great day for all the children to remember’. Ernie Brennan, NCFA, CEO, said, ‘It was a great day to witness the first school India twin their peace pitch with Flanders, Peace Fields. The football match after the ceremony was played in the spirit of sportsmanship and friendship’ Vijaya Selvaraj, Slum Soccer Coach, said, ‘This Peace Pitch is an important legacy connecting Chennai, India, with the soldiers of The First World War.’

UPDATE 09/10/23

The center is not working at the moment due to the current situation.  We hope to resume the work again soon.

Danielle Bild, Project Manager.

28/08/19

Information about the Peres Centre and the work that the PC do?

The Peres Center for Peace and Innovation was founded in 1996 by the Ninth President of Israel and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, Shimon Peres, and is dedicated to advancing his vision of a prosperous Israel within a peaceful Middle East. The Peres Center is a leading non-profit NGO that, together with local, regional and international partners, develops and implements unique and cutting-edge programs serving hundreds of thousands of participants to date of all ages, religions, genders and cultural backgrounds. Programs focuses include medicine and healthcare, business and entrepreneurship, education, and innovation.

Who are the children that will benefit from playing on a Peace Pitch. Where do they live and what kind of schools do they attend?

The Peres Center’s Sport in the Service of Peace programs work with schoolchildren who are children ages 8-14. We work across Israel and the West Bank, bringing together Jewish and Arab, Israeli and Palestinian boys and girls. We focus on Israel’s social and geographic periphery as well as the West Bank, both of which consist of often underserved communities. The majority of the youth participating in our programs tend to come from relatively low-income backgrounds, and are those with the fewest opportunities to meet their peers from the “other” side.

Why is peace education through sport important to all children in Israel.

“When you are on the football pitch you are a team player – not a Muslim, Jew or Christian. Sport knows no boundaries and sees no culture or religion. Sport is an international language that unites us all.” – Shimon Peres.

The “other,” when unknown, may be perceived as intimidating and frightening. Lack of contact and positive interaction intensifies these fears. As Arab and Jewish, Israeli and Palestinian children and youth on both sides are severely affected by conflict, they are highly susceptible to developing negative perceptions of the “other.” In addition, lack of extracurricular activities for social and geographic periphery communities creates an opportunity to provide a win-win situation, both for healthy, positive activities and for peacebuilding. As the future of the region, they have the most to gain from the development of durable peace, and it is thus crucial to engage them in peace education programming. From the values of teamwork and common goals to shared struggles and victories, sport has the power to unite youth from different cultures. In a language understood by all, Jewish and Arab, Israeli and Palestinian boys and girls come together under the common banner of sport, cheering for one another and building lasting friendships.

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The recent visit of Prince William highlighted the great work of the Perez Centre.  Everyone at the NCFA are excited to work in partnership at the centre to create the first peace pitch in Israel.  The Perez Centre will be an important stakeholder in the ever growing International Children’s Football Alliance, which aims to promote peace and protect childhood through play.

Peace and goodwill were very much the cornerstone of the Prince’s visit to Jaffa, a mixed Arab-Jewish soccer game in the historic city, today part of the Tel Aviv metropolis. The event was hosted by the Peres Center for Peace and Innovation and the Equalizer organization, which both work to bring young people together across religious and ethnic boundaries, the Equalizer focusing particularly on sports.

The Prince showed off his soccer skills, taking penalty shots against some of the young people who had just played a short match against one another. As an Englishman, he was always going to miss the first one. But the prince dispatched the second to cheers from onlookers.

Globalpeacegames2019girlsnight2019

UPDATE 12/06/24

Commemorating D DAY and celebrating peace

UPDATE 03/11/23

Dear Soccer friends and families,

Please join us for a day filled with soccer fun at Doc Myers Park in beautiful Hobe Sound for our Annual Peace Field Project Games. Venue: William G “Doc” Myers Park 10000, Old Dixy Hwy, Hobe Sound, 33455.

Festival Day: Saturday December 16th 2023. come for the day or just come for a while.

Opening Ceremony will be at 9am and our fun packed day ends with a closing at 4pm.

There will be parents and children clinics from Top Florida Soccer Association coaches and lots of small sided game, along with fun activities like tug o war and skills stations.

Ages from 3 – 21 can enjoy the soccer related activities whilst making new friends from all cultures and backgrounds. NO FEE to Participate.

Teams love to visit the family friendly environment of Hobe Sound, which nestled on the Atlantic Treasure coast and surrounded by Florida’s natural beauty. Come and help us celebrate our wonderful new relationship with the International Children’s Alliance for the Peace Field Project.

History of the Peace games: The (PFP) twin’s soccer fields around the world with Flanders Peace Field, The Peace Village, Messines, Belgium, and site of the 1914, First World War, Christmas Truces, where in an act of humanitarianism, games of football were played during a truce amongst opposing forces. The (not for profit organization) delivers: The Football and Peace Project, The Peace Fields Project and The Global Peace Games; essentially peace education programs utilizing a cross curricular approach to Commemorate War and Celebrate Peace Through Play. Come visit us for the day, or bring your families to the area for an extended stay. Visit the beaches, natural Preserves and Parks that make their home in Hobe Sound. Some attractions are: Jonathan Dickinson State Park, Hobe Sound Natural Wildlife Center, Hobe Sound Public Beach on Jupiter Island, Blowing Rocks Preserve and Historic Downtown Hobe Sound. We recommend these convenient hotels: Courtyard by Marriott Stuart, Holiday Inn Express Stuart or Hampton Inn &Suites Stuart. Hobe Sound also has plenty of family friendly dining for your convenience.

Our Festival to Promote Peace will consist of: Skill stations, Fun activities and Small sided Jamboree

Come wearing comfortable clothes for sports including shin guards and plenty of water. Concessions will be open for snacks, food, soft drinks and Icees. 

Email: doc.hssc@gmail.com  or call Julie at: 603-236-6152 to register a player or a team.

Please help us spread the word about this exciting Festival Day by sharing it on your Facebook and Instagram.

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Club President & Director of TOPSoccer Hobe Sound Soccer Club, said, ‘We are honored and very much looking forward to twinning Hobe Sound Soccer Club with Flanders Peace Field’.We will kick off the twinning of our home field William G. “Doc” Myers Park with Flanders Peace Field at our “3V3 Live” Tournament on December 29, 2018. This 3V3 tournament is open to all area Clubs and teams. We are expecting to have 40 or more teams participating in this inaugural event.  We are very much looking forward to this event. 

UPDATE 04.11.19

Peace Field Games Festival September 21st 2019 at The newly officially twinned Peace Field Venue William Doc Myers Park 10000, Old Dixie Hwy, Hobe Sound ,Fl 33455 through Hobe Sound Soccer Club and Ignite Sports Center.

Over 16 teams 5 different clubs all age groups  boys and girls and parents enjoyed the Festival of fun and commemoration of The World War One Christmas Truce.

A special attendance from  the VFW Color Guard from Hall- Brian Post 10132 Veterans Of Foreign Wars

Located at 6101 SE Dixie Hwy , Hobe Sound.

Ron Polzin Honor Guard Captain, Navy,Sal Massnro Auxiliary, Richie PILLING Marine,Larry Little Navy

Myron Gorski Army & Anthony Giannotti Navy.

Ron Polzin recited the Pledge of Allegiance and re- presented the Peace Field Declaration plaque to Hobe Sound Soccer Club/Ignite Sports Center.

Please find some pictures of the games and fun activities that were held throughout the day.

Everyone had a wonderful experience including the referees who worked with us through the whole festival.

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UPDATE 24.09.19

A DAY TO REMEMBER.

UPDATE 05.09.19

Dear Soccer friends-

Please join us for a day filled with soccer fun at Doc Myers Park in beautiful Hobe Sound for our first Annual Peace Field Project Games. Venue: William G “Doc” Myers Park 10000, Old Dixy Hwy, Hobe Sound, 33455.

Festival Day: Saturday September 21^st 2019. 9am-4pm. Ages 9-19: come for the day or just come for a while…just come! $10 per player or $75.00 per team. All Games will be small sided.

Teams love to visit the family friendly environment of Hobe Sound, which nestled on the Atlantic Treasure coast and surrounded by Florida’s natural beauty. Come and help us celebrate our wonderful new relationship with the International Children’s Alliance for the Peace Field Project.

History of the Peace games: The (PFP) twin’s soccer fields around the world with Flanders Peace Field, The Peace Village, Messines, Belgium, and site of the 1914, First World War, Christmas Truces, where in an act of humanitarianism, games of football were played during a truce amongst opposing forces. The (not for profit organization) delivers: The Football and Peace Project, The Peace Fields Project and The Global Peace Games; essentially peace education programs utilizing a cross curricular approach to Commemorate War and Celebrate Peace Through Play. Come visit us for the day, or bring your families to the area for an extended stay. Visit the beaches, natural Preserves and Parks that make their home in Hobe Sound. Some attractions are: Jonathan Dickinson State Park, Hobe Sound Natural Wildlife Center, Hobe Sound Public Beach on Jupiter Island, Blowing Rocks Preserve and Historic Downtown Hobe Sound. We recommend these convenient hotels: Courtyard by Marriott Stuart, Holiday Inn Express Stuart or Hampton Inn &Suites Stuart. Hobe Sound also has plenty of family friendly dining for your convenience.

Our Festival to Promote Peace will consist of: Skill stations, Fun activities and Small sided Jamboree

The usual soccer attire required; including shin guards and plenty of water.  Concessions will be open for snacks, food, soft drinks and Icees. Information on the National Children Alliance and the Peace Field Project please click on the link below.

http://www.childrensfootballalliance.com/football-and-peace/international/hobe-sound-soccer-club/

Email: doc.hssc@gmail.com  or call Julie at: 603-236-6152 to register a player or a team.

Please help us spread the word about this exciting Festival Day by sharing it on your Facebook and Instagram.

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UPDATE 20/08/19

GIRLS ONLY SOCCER FUN NIGHT

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UPDATE 03/03/19

Mick Gale (left) International Children’s Football Alliance, Peace Fields Project (PFP), Ambassador, presents the Hobe Sound Soccer Club, PFP to Justine Blanckaert, The Peace Village, Messines, Belgium.  The presentation was made inside The Peace Village in front of The Christmas Truces statue.  The Hobe Sound Soccer Club PFP plaque will be mounted on The Peace Wall at The Peace Pitch which over looks the site of the 1914 Christmas Truces.

Interview

1.  Why did Hobe Sound Soccer Club twin their soccer pitch with Flanders Peace Fields

HSSC- Answer 1.

Hobe Sound Soccer Club has always been interested in outreach programs and finding other ways that soccer can be a part of life education, character building for young athletes and families.

When this opportunity came along through Ambassador Mr Mick Gale who explained to us about the National Children Alliance its ethos and how it reaches many cultures through soccer participation which ultimately can help change young lives forever in such positive ways. Our decision to want to become involved in the Peace Field Pitch Project was easy along with our alliance member Ignite Sports Centre.

The stories of the ceasefire in World War 1 the impact that soccer had created to those giving their lives for a cause greater than their own we knew we had to bring the Hobe sound Soccer Club/Ignite Sports centre and the USA in to be a part of this project.

Involving our soccer club Hobe Sound and Ignite Sports Centre, Florida ultimately led to twinning with the Soccer Pitch of Flanders in Belgium. We are proud to be a participant not only for soccer but for all the cultural and educational opportunities that this may bring hence forth our board of directors saw the magnificence and importance of a creating a connection and relationship with another Town and Country it is truly a honour.

We feel to be able to communicate and share our soccer club/ sports centre and town with Flanders, is a wonderful impactful opportunity to experience and cultivate cultural differences.  To have the ability to be able to take young people on a journey in the light of peace through soccer was foremost in our minds.

2.  Who will benefit from playing on the peace pitch?

HSSC – Answer 2.

This opportunity will be open to all young soccer players within Hobe Sound Soccer Club/Ignite Sports Center and the surrounding areas. Hobe Sound Soccer club will arrange annual tournaments to highlight the peace pitch  project and our twinning with the Flanders Peace Field creating opportunities for players to travel make connections around the world and participate in the Global Peace field Project games.

Our aim is invite the local Veterans to each event to appreciate and understand sacrifices made through WW1 and beyond.

Our hope is to bring camaraderie between our young soccer players and to those at the Peace Pitch Games in Flanders develop a connection where these young people can continue to communicate, learn about each different Countries and Cultures share new ideas and ways of life.

3. How will soccer coaches, facilitators and volunteers, promote the Peace

Pitch in terms of sportsmanship?

HSSC – Answer 3.

All of Hobe Sound Soccer/Ignite sports Center Coaches, Players and parents sign a code of conduct and are versed on sportsmanship and fair play Through education and information provided by HSSC/Ignite all coaches, volunteers and parents will understand the meaning of the peace pitch field events.

4. Will the Peace Pitch facilitate Peace Games / Tournaments annually on

21st Sept; International Day of Peace?  How?

HSSC- Answer 4.

Hobe Sound Soccer Club and Ignite sports center will hold annual events at our Peace Pitch connected to the National Children’s Alliance and the Global Peace Pitch Games.

Hobe Sound Soccer Club and Ignite Sports will hold soccer related activities including a soccer tournament on the international day of peace weekend of 21st and 22nd of September dedicated to the Peace Fields Project. Our aim is to participate in The Global Peace Games in Belgium.

The First Peace Pitch in Italy.  ENDAS Ente Nazionale, facilitated the first Italian Peace Pitch in Terracina. Peace Ambassadors from Leonardo Da Vinci school who represented their community at the 2017 Global Peace Games proudly presented the peace poppy ball to Terracina’s designated area of play – their new peace pitch – which is now officially twinned with Flanders Peace Field, Mesen, Belgium, site of the 1914 First World War Christmas Truces.  

Peace Field Project Manager, Pierpaolo Chiumera, said, ”We commemorate the extraordinary events that happened in the 1914 First World War at the Christmas Truces.  We celebrate world peace through an act of humanitarianism – a moment in history that took place in No Mans Land.  We have come to spread the principles of fair play, sharing, friendship and citizenship, through sports and social inclusion.”

The Peace Pitch is open to everyone, where the only goal is to socialize.  Together with The National Children’s Football Alliance (UK) we help form the ever-growing International Children’s Football Alliance. (ICFA).  An organisation that seeks to protect the universal interests of childhood through play.  Two Peace Fields Project plaques where presented to the community in Terracina by students from Leonardo Da Vinci High School.  The students represent Italy at the 2017 Global Peace Games where they participated in a peace education programme and gained recognition for their outstanding contribution to the United Nations International Day of Peace.

 

The students gained competencies in conflict resolution, communication and equality.  The boys and girls received their certificates and passed on their experiences to the new participants who will be attending in September 2018.  John Carmichael, ICFA, NED, said, ‘The fact that young Italian people are taking the lead to promote peace to all members of the community – it is a very important message in the current world climate.  We are very proud that they value the past through commemoration and celebrate the future , through play and promoting peace.

 

Zenit Arena Bijeljina is to become the first Peace Pitch in Bosnia & Herzegovina 

A peace tournament will be held on the weekend of 1st June to 3rd June.  The tournament will raise money to provide Peace Field Project plaques which will twin the first ever peace pitch in Bosnia & Herzegovina with Flanders Peace Field, Messen, Belgium, site of the 1914 Christmas Truces.

The special guest at the young peoples tournament will be Žiko Kojić a local celebrity and ex-professional football player, he now he is the trainer in OFK Zenit. Ziko was born on 3.4.1972. in Bijeljina. Clubs that he played for (FK Loznica 1996, FK Radnik Bijeljina 1998 (best scorer), FK Rudar 1999 Ugljevik, FK Sutjeska Nikšić 2000, FK Radnik Bijeljina 2001-2006 (Premier league BiH). He played 20 games for Republic of Srpska National Football club form 1994-2003.

Tournament will be held on 2 locations Zenit arena and Arena in Ethno-village Stanisic both in Bijeljina.  One of the sponsors will be Football Wire London. Around 150 selections of different generations 2011-2006 will compete.

Cregagh Primary School

Mount Merrion Avenue

Belfast BT6 0FL

David Heggarty (Principal)

Website – www.cregaghprimary.org.uk