The Children’s Football Alliance’s Paul Cooper will read out a WW1 poem at the Commonwealth War Graves Foundation’s Brookwood event, 11th June, 2026.

The CFA’s stand will be inside the large tent to provide information on how schools’ clubs and groups can participate in the charity’s Peace Education Through Play Programme.

Paul Cooper, Director and co-founder of the CFA, will be reading a poem by the war poet Will Streets at Brookwood Military Cemetery on the 11^th June. The performances start at 6pm, and there will be multiple stands, including the Children’s Football Alliance, from 3 pm. Come early to enjoy tours of the site, living history, children’s workshops and more.

CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING LINK

An Evening at Brookwood 2026 Tickets, Thursday, June 11  •  3 PM – 8:30 PM | Eventbrite

WARRI, NIGERIA – The Warri Kingdom is set to launch Nigeria’s first-ever Peace Pitch, inspired by Scotland’s Denis Law Legacy Trust’s Peace Pitch and officially twinned with the historic Flanders Peace Field in Belgium, the site of the 1914 World War I Christmas Truces. This landmark initiative, delivered through the International Children’s Football Alliance (ICFA) Peace Field Project, expands the global network of Peace Pitches to 82 sites worldwide, each promoting peace, unity, and community development through play.

To mark the beginning of the project, Mark Williams of the Denis Law Legacy Trust will present a symbolic Peace Poppy Ball to Joe Ochei, who will take it to the Warri Kingdom in Nigeria. The collaboration strengthens cultural and community ties between Nigeria and Scotland, with Aberdeen’s Cruyff Court Denis Law on Catherine Street, also twinned with the Flanders Peace Field, serving as a key inspiration for the Warri initiative.

“We are honoured to bring the Peace Field Project to the Warri Kingdom,” said Joe Ochei. “This pitch will be more than a place for football; it will become a community hub where young people can learn, grow, and experience the values of unity, harmony, and peace.”

About the Peace Field Project
The Peace Field Project, led globally by the Children’s Football Alliance (CFA), creates designated “Peace Pitches” where children and young people can play, learn, and promote peace through sport. Each pitch is twinned with the Flanders Peace Field in Belgium, serving as a living reminder of the power of reconciliation and the enduring importance of peace in communities worldwide.

Wednesday 6th May, 2026.

Music brings us together. Add dance and food, the perfect ingredients to celebrate Peace Through Play.

Slovenia got the first playground of peace in Semič

OŠ Belokranjskega odreda Semič today, as the first in Slovenia, officially joined the prestigious international network Peace Pitch (Playground of Peace), under the auspices of the world organisation Children’s Football Alliance that promotes peace and cooperation through sport.

Elementary School Semič became 82. a point on a world map of peace, which aims to establish 100 playgrounds of peace around the world, where the promotion of peace and friendship and Fair play will be the main guide.

The historical meaning of the new acquisition was underlined with their speeches:

Polona Kambič, mayor of Semič municipality,

Ernie Brennan, CEO of the Children’s Football Alliance,

Mladen ičmir, representative of the Football Association of Slovenia and

Tomaž Pavlakovič, principal of Elementary School Semič.

The event was also attended by many representatives of neighbouring municipalities, primary schools and organisations.

A cultural program was provided by the pupils of Elementary School Semič, who emphasised the values of peace and coexistence with their performance. Immediately after the official work, the playground underwent its true “baptism”. In the spirit of friendship and fair-play, 5 teams from Slovenia and neighbouring Croatia competed: Elementary School Veli Vrh Pula, Elementary School inakanje, Elementary School Vinica, NK Pero Peroj and the home Elementary School Semič.

Special guests, NK PEROJ FC received their Peace Field Project Plaque at The Semič Elementary School Peace Games. A special thank you to a man of peace, the legend Goran Miletić, for supporting the kids from Croatia

NK PEROJ FC received their Peace Field Project Plaque at the Semič Elementary School.

The First Ever Peace Pitch in Slovenia brought people together through play, music, dance and food. ‘The Peace Field Project Peace Pitch twinning event was truly amazing, heart-warming and memorable. A great day for the people of Semic and a living legacy for peace for the children of Slovenia,’ Ernie Brennan, CEO, CFA.

There are 82 Peace Field Project Peace Pitches on 6 continents. It is mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, grandads, grandmothers, cousins, relations, and friends who connect Peace Through Play.

‘There is an atmosphere of celebration. There are rightfully many memorials to war around the world, but very few to celebrate peace. The Peace Field Project is perfect for reminding adults that we were all children, once upon a time.’ Ernie Brennan, speech at the Semic Peace Pitch twinning ceremony with The Peace Village, Peace Pitch, Flanders, Belgium.

Click here for the Elementary School Semič Peace Field Project Page

BARROW CELTIC JUNIORS FOOTBALL CLUB PEACE PLAQUE AT FLANDERS PEACE PITCH, MESEN, BELGIUM.

CLICK HERE FOR BARROW CELTIC F C PEACE FIELD PROJECT WEBPAGE

CELEBRATING OUR SHARED HISTORY

“125 Years of Memories: Barrow’s Big Football Roadshow” Launches This Saturday

 Historic Objects, Supporter Stories, and Special Guests from the Football Heritage Podcast

 Barrow AFC and their fans will celebrate its proud past this weekend with a unique Barrow 125 Football Roadshow, inviting supporters to dive into more than a century of Bluebirds history. The event takes place in The Cross Bar on Saturday 24 January, when Barrow host Crawley Town at the SO Legal Stadium.

 As part of the club’s 125th anniversary celebrations, fans are encouraged to bring along their own memorabilia, stories, photographs, and matchday memories to be shared, recorded, and preserved for the future.

 The Roadshow forms a key starting point in the Barrow 125 heritage programme: a year-long effort to catalogue, celebrate, and protect the history of Barrow AFC for generations to come.

 Visitors will also have the chance to explore an impressive display from Barrow supporter‑historians, who are showcasing a collection of rare and fascinating objects—some dating back nearly 100 years. These include vintage shirts, historic programmes, supporter artefacts, and items that tell the story of Barrow’s identity, culture, and enduring community spirit.

 Adding to the occasion, the club will welcome special guests from the internationally recognised Football Heritage Podcast, who will be meeting fans, recording interviews, and capturing the stories that make Barrow one of English football’s most distinctive and resilient clubs. Their visit shines a national spotlight on Barrow’s heritage work and the passionate community behind the club.

A Call to All Supporters

The Barrow 125 Team is encouraging fans young and old to get involved—whether they bring a treasured item from the loft or simply share a memory from the terraces.

 “Every supporter has a story,” said Bluebirds Trust director Frazer Stewart. “This event is about celebrating our shared history and building an archive that honours the people who have shaped Barrow AFC for 125 years.”

 Fan contributions will help form a permanent digital and physical archive, supporting future exhibitions, school programmes, heritage trails, and community projects.

Event Details

📅 Saturday 24 January

🕑 10am-3pm

🏟️ Cross Bar-Barrow AFC

🎙️ With the Football Heritage Podcast & Barrow supporter‑historians

📚 Opportunities to record personal memories and contribute to the Barrow 125 Archive

Bluebirds Trust member Steve Herbert said, “We can’t wait to see what treasures are brought but supporters don’t need to bring anything special—just themselves and their stories.

Barrow 125 is a major heritage project marking the club’s 125th anniversary. It includes a Dock Museum exhibition, education work, an oral-history programme, a Supporters’ Heritage Museum, community events, and a town-wide heritage trail—all designed to celebrate the history and identity of Barrow AFC and its supporters.

 Led by supporters organisation the Bluebirds Trust, it includes the club, BAFC Community Foundation, award winning fanzine Give em Beans and The Dock Museum.

 ENDS

 For media enquiries, interviews, or further information about the Barrow 125 programme, please contact 125@bluebirdstrust.co.uk

PRESS RELEASE

12 pm SATURDAY 7th JUNE 2025.

Tyne Cot Military Cemetery in Zonnebeke, Belgium to the Menin Gate, Ypres (2 hours and 30 minutes)

We are raising money for children to participate in the 2025 Global Peace Games. If you cannot participate, please donate at JustGiving.

https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/sponsoredpeacewalk

DOWNLOAD SPONSORED PEACE WALK FORM

The CFA’s Peace Field Programme delivers peace education through play projects.  The Charity provides access for children from diverse backgrounds to experience fun games at the annual Global Peace Games.  All monies raised contribute to workshops, games and excursions in Belgium.

The Sponsored Peace Walk is FREE Saturday 7th JUNE 2025. However, if you would like to stop over at the PEACE VILLAGE Saturday 7th JUNE contact info@thecfa.co.uk for more information. Cost: £60.00 includes breakfast buffet. Travel not included.

T-shirt £25. Signed Pics of Daisy, Charlie and Paul Cooper £20. Signed T-shirt by Daisy, Charlie and Paul Cooper £500. All items include postage. Email subject: Sponsored Walk Merch to info@thecfa.co.uk . Add your Size: Small, Medium, Large, X-Large. Add your postal address. PAYMENT: HSBC. Account Name: Children’s Football Alliance Ltd. Account Number: 52790165. Sorting Code: 40-22-26

SUPPORTED BY

IN FLANDERS FIELDS MUSEUM

PEACE VILLAGE

GROEPINTRO

United World Academy, Bengaluru is the venue for the first Peace Field Project (PFP) Peace Pitch in Bengaluru. Bengaluru Soccer Acadmey will facilitate the twinning event, 15-16-17 April 2025.  Special guests, Green Fields School and Swayam Foundation will represent the New Delhi PFP when they play football for fun games with the children of Bengaluru.  The event will celebrate peace through play in a packed programme of activities. 

EVENT

Mrs. Kavita Sinha, Head of United World Academy, Bengaluru, congratulated Bengaluru Soccer Academy and the Children’s Football Alliance for bringing the Peace Field Project to UWA, Bengaluru. ‘We are proud to be twinned with Flanders Peace Pitch and we look forward to working with the International Peace Field Projects.‘ Mr. Vijayakumar, UWA, Founder, said, ‘ The Peace Field Project will support our children’s learning on and off the pitch. It is a great honour to be twinned with Flanders Peace Field.‘

Prithvi Jagan, Bengaluru Soccer Schools, ‘I had the great honour to visit Flanders Peace Field Pitch last year. I have witnessed the power of sport connect young and older people through the Peace Field Programme. It is unique, memorable and ultimately fun’.

‘It is an honour to be invited to Bengaluru by UWA and Bengaluru Soccer Schools. Peace Field Projects are connecting the essence of play with diverse communities across the world. There is a passion from everyday people to celebrate peace through play. Games without frontiers. The CFA facilitates shared learning and thankfully, our partners support that.’ Ernie Brennan, CEO, CFA.

Greenfield School and Swayam Foundation, Delhi represented their Peace Field Project, Peace Pitch at the wonderful UWA, Bengaluru.

Football for fun sessions were facititated by Bengaluru Soccer Schools and Children’s Football Alliance.

The Christmas truces in Bengaluru

PEACE THROUGH PLAY

Special guest Devika Malik, international para-athlete and co-founder of the Wheeling Happiness Foundation, speaks with the participants about the importance of all-inclusive play. How mixed gender and mixed-abilities add value to the experience of play.

THE FIRST EVER PEACE PITCH IN BENGALURU

For more than three decades, Mrs. Sinha has been a cornerstone of the educational landscape, leaving an indelible mark on the institutions fortunate enough to have her guidance. The UWA Principal shares with the participants a wealth of knowledge and support for their Peace Field Project.

ALL TOGETHER NOW

PEACE FIELD PROJECT WORKSHOPS

SIERRA LEONE INTERNATIONAL MISSION SECONDARY SCHOOL

The Peace Field Programme delivers peace education through play projects.  Pending funding, the CFA invites Peace Field Project Peace Pitches to apply to attend the 2025 Global Peace Games scheduled 15th to 21st September 2025.  Email your 500 word Letter of Interest explaining why your PFP would like to participate at the next games. info@thecfa.co.uk  CLICK HERE

CLICK HERE TO VIEW PAGE AND DOWNLOAD REPORT

THE CHILDREN’S FAMILY FOOTBALL ALLIANCE

As we sat together in Larne High school I was telling Adam Hamilton from Youth Link NI all about the Children’s Football Alliance and about our recent experience at the Global Peace Games 2024.

As I was showing Adam the CFA web site and the recent Activity in New Zealand Adam stood back in amazement at seeing the heading ‘ Southland FC peace fields project ‘

Adam actually played for Southland FC during his semi professional career in addition to playing for Crusaders FC the home of the Limestone United peace pitch.

What an incredible connection to hear about and Adam kindly shared a newspaper Article about his time in Southland FC – Southland express newspaper 2000.

Adam has recalled with fondness of his experience at Southland FC and his journey into youth work after football.

Adam had spent time recalling memories that he shared with other Northern Ireland players who headed to New Zealand from all sections of the Political divide and how they became great friends and team mates .

‘ I could not believe what I was seeing when Brian showed myself the CFA Article whilst talking about football whilst at Larne High school, so many happy memories came back to me . ‘- Adam Hamilton

Peace fields projects bring so many people together and it’s great to celebrate another connection across the world.

Peace through play our common goal

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