Founded in 2003, PeacePlayers Northern Ireland was created with the goal of using basketball as a tool for reconciliation and peace-building in a region that had been deeply divided by years of conflict. Our mission is to unite and empower young people from all parts of the community through the shared experience of sport, and to promote understanding and respect. Over the past 22 years, we have reached thousands of young people from both Protestant and Catholic backgrounds, providing them with the opportunity to play basketball together and form friendships across the traditional divide.
What we do
Our Programming
PeacePlayers Northern Ireland engages over 1200 Catholic and Protestant youth each year, ages 9-25, in year-round and multi-year basketball training, conflict resolution education and leadership development activities in Northern Ireland. Programs are divided into five tiers:
Primary School twinnings
The foundation of our cross-community intervention, this program engages children ages 9 to 11, pairing a maintained (predominantly Catholic) primary school with a controlled (predominantly Protestant) primary school for 90-minute sessions during the school day.
The Twinning program is offered to Primary Six classes in the autumn and Primary Seven classes in the spring. A typical twinning program lasts six weeks and introduces the fundamentals of basketball in conjunction with PP-NI’s peace-building curriculum, which incorporates the Northern Ireland Personal Development and Mutual Understanding (PDMU) academic curriculum.
Bridging divides program
An evening programme that builds upon the lessons of the primary school curriculum and engages young people in ‘hubs’, providing cross-community basketball training, matches and community relations discussions. PP-NI currently facilitates BDP’s through hubs in north, south, east and west Belfast as well as in Larne & Carrick, Ballymena, Dungannon, Newcastle, Newtownabbey and Bangor
Leadership Development Program
Graduates of PPI-NI's Primary School Twinnings and BDP programmes have the opportunity to continue to be involved with PPI-NI through the Leadership Development Programme (LDP).
Past programme graduates as well as new participants benefit from formal training (to develop both soft and hard skills) and experiential learning opportunities (e.g., acting as assistant coaches and facilitators, supporting programme delivery with younger participants, competing on integrated teams). LDP operates on a year-round basis with a focus on core values, coaching, basketball, and peer leadership development. LDP works with young people in years 11-14 of secondary school. A Junior Development Programme (JDP) is also offered to participants in years 8 – 10 of secondary school.
Coaches Development Program
Our Sessional Coaches form an integral part of the programme's delivery capacity. As products of the programme, they are engaged through the program's Positive Coaching framework and trained to deliver community relations through sport curricula and programme.
Interface Games
Participants from across out hubs areas come together to play Gaelic football, rugby and football. Coaching stations, led by coaches from each of the three sports, are complemented by a ‘fourth half’ of interactive community relations conversations led by PeacePlayers Northern Ireland facilitators.
Four camps are organized across the city, in north, south, east and west Belfast. At each camp, up to 50 young people, from either side of some of Belfast’s most notorious interfaces, come together to play Gaelic football, rugby and soccer. Coaching stations, led by coaches from each of the three sports, are complemented by a ‘fourth half’ of interactive community relations conversations led by PeacePlayers Northern Ireland facilitators.
Proven Impact
of participants got along well or very well with the participants from a different religious background, and 70% of them attribute that response to their experience with PeacePlayers!
of respondents answered 5 out of 10 for how confident they felt in their basketball skills, and 95% of them attribute that response to their experience with PeacePlayers!
of respondents enjoyed the virtual CCL sessions that PeacePlayers ran, with “seeing my teammates” and “the competitions against or with my teammates” ranking as the top reasons for this
of respondents were not taking part in any other virtual sessions outside of those with PeacePlayers
Our Team
Gareth Harper
Managing director
Location: Northern Ireland
Email: gharper@peaceplayers.org
Gareth Harper is the Managing Director of PeacePlayers – Northern Ireland, a role he has held since March 2009. A passionate advocate for reconciliation and community relations, Gareth has guided PeacePlayers in engaging over 25,000 young people through sport-based peacebuilding over the past two decades. Under his leadership, PeacePlayers has expanded its reach, launched pioneering initiatives, secured strategic funding, and diversified the organisation’s funding mix through the development of a social enterprise and the nurturing of collaborations with businesses as corporate investors for peace.
Gareth remains committed to strengthening community relations through sport. He works closely with sporting, youth, and community organisations to design inclusive programmes that encourage dialogue and build lasting connections.
He holds a BSc (Hons) in Geography and an MSc in Town and Country Planning from Queen’s University Belfast, as well as a Postgraduate Certificate in Management and an Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from the Open University. Gareth is also a Certified Practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming and has additional qualifications in Executive Coaching and Sustainable Investment for the Third Sector.
Originally from Newcastle, County Down, Gareth was inspired from an early age by friendships across community divides. His academic background in geography and planning, combined with early work at the Rural Community Network, laid the foundation for his mission to harness sport as a catalyst for peace. He lives near Castlewellan with his wife, two daughters, a dog and 2 cats!
Joanne Fitzpatrick
Head of Programming
Location: Northern Ireland
Email: jfitzpatrick@peaceplayers.org
Joanne has been with PeacePlayers Northern Ireland since 2008, leading curriculum development and programme design. Joanne holds a First Class BA (Hons) in Children, Young People and Families, from Coventry University. Joanne also has diplomas in positive psychology, mindfulness and life coaching, as well as breathwork and cold water therapy. Joanne has over 17 years of experience in curriculum development, programme design and management, and coaches training. Joanne not only supports this work, locally, but has also supported several of PeacePlayers’ global initiatives, including projects in Hong Kong, Rwanda and Chicago.
Joanne is from Dundrum, Co. Down and, outside of PeacePlayers, Joanne coaches for Newry Fliers Basketball Club, is a member of the YMCA regional committee and organises events promoting positive wellbeing. Joanne was also selected as an Olympic Torchbearer for the London 2012 Olympics. In 2022, Joanne was featured in the HerStory Peace Heroines exhibition, which highlighted the role that women played in peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland. In 2025, Joanne received an MBE as part of King Charles III’s New Years Honours list, for her contributions and dedication to community relations and peacebuilding through sport in Northern Ireland.
Paula McCurdy
Head of Corporate Services
Location: Northern Ireland
Email: pmccurdy@peaceplayers.org
Born and raised in North Belfast, Paula began her good relations journey as a teenager when she travelled to Chicago, USA, with the Children’s Project Northern Ireland. This formative experience sparked a lasting passion for helping to build a more peaceful and inclusive Northern Ireland.
Paula’s professional background includes working with the Department of Finance and Personnel’s Central Community Relations Unit, as well as experience in preschool teaching and Special Educational Needs (SEN) training. She also holds diplomas in both Child Psychology and Human Resource Management.
Paula was first introduced to PeacePlayers when her youngest son joined the after-school programme at age nine. Seeing how closely the organisation’s values aligned with her own, Paula and her family quickly became enthusiastic supporters and volunteers.
In February 2021, Paula officially joined the PeacePlayers Northern Ireland team as HR and Office Administrator. She brings a particular interest and expertise in Special Educational Needs and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), and leads internal teams focused on supporting these areas across the organisation—for staff, coaches, and participants alike.
Aoife Redmond
Regional Projects Coordinator
Location: Northern Ireland
Email: aredmond@peaceplayers.org
Aoife started her journey with PeacePlayers Northern Ireland in 2017 as part of her university placement, where she was challenged to explore youth work in a new and dynamic context. She holds a BA (Hons) in Youth and Community Work and has worked in various youth work settings across Northern Ireland since 2013. With a long-standing passion for team sports, Aoife became the first junior member of her school’s Sports Committee and has continued to champion the role of team sports in bringing people together. Originally from Dublin, she brings a unique perspective as someone outside the Northern Ireland conflict, using this position to foster open dialogue and shared learning with participants. As a PeacePlayer, Aoife is dedicated to supporting young people on their journeys of growth through sport, informal education, team building, and leadership development.
Patrice Fox
Local Project Coordinator
Location: Northern Ireland
Email: pfox@peaceplayers.org
I first joined PeacePlayers Northern Ireland as a participant 15 years ago. The impact the programme had on me as a young person has been life-changing, playing a major role in shaping the person I am today.
Having taken part in the full range of PeacePlayers programmes, I’ve seen first-hand how sport can provide young people with opportunities to grow, develop, and become leaders in their communities. I’ve also witnessed how these opportunities help bridge divides and bring people together.
I’m excited to see how the organisation continues to grow, creating even more positive change across Northern Ireland, while supporting and empowering the next generation of young people.
Jessica Love
Local Project Coordinator, Belfast
Location: Northern Ireland
Email: pfox@peaceplayers.org
Jessica joined PeacePlayers in 2022 through the Community Basketball League and stepped into a coaching role in 2024. Originally from Newry, she graduated from Queen’s University Belfast with a degree in International Business with French.
Her passion for sport and youth development has taken her beyond Northern Ireland, including time in Canada working with a university basketball team. Back home, she continues to coach with the Newry Fliers Basketball Club, where she supports young people in building both their sporting skills and leadership abilities.
Jessica has seen firsthand how sport can open doors and create lasting opportunities, and she is excited to be part of an organisation using basketball to positively impact the lives of young people across Northern Ireland.
Marc Wilmot
Local Project Coordinator for Newry, Mourne, and Down & Mid-Ulster
Location: Northern Ireland
Email: mwilmot@peaceplayers.org
In this nurturing, fun, and inclusive environment, Marc found not just personal growth, but also a deep-seated commitment to the mission of PeacePlayers. Over the next four years, he served as a coach, drawing upon his own experiences to empower young people across Northern Ireland, helping them build their confidence and leadership skills. With a BA in Philosophy and Politics, Marc firmly believes in the transformative power of social connections and meaningful conversations. His love for sports—ranging from basketball to soccer and rugby—reinforces his belief that movement can unite individuals from diverse backgrounds. Marc’s experiences extend beyond Northern Ireland; he has travelled to various PeacePlayers sites as both a participant and a coach. These global connections have profoundly influenced his life, broadening his perspective and deepening his commitment to the cause. As he looks to the future, Marc is excited to continue the transformative work that PeacePlayers champions, striving to make a difference in the lives of others.
Our Board of Directors
2020-21
Jim FitzPatrick
Chairman & Bank Signatory
Jim is an experienced broadcast journalist, presenter and producer. He has a track record in award-winning documentaries for television. He has also presented radio news, television news programmes and many outside broadcasts over more than a decade in the frontline of broadcasting in Northern Ireland. He has detailed experience in crafting news bulletins and daily news for radio, television, online and print. He has worked on programmes including politics, business and economics. He has managed independent productions and digital media projects. He is currently working on a number of internationally focused documentaries and new media projects in collaboration with others. Jim has specific expertise in politics, economics and investigative work. He is a frequent host of public events including conferences, seminars and customer engagement sessions. Jim is married with four young children and lives in Belfast.
Joy Hadden
An exceptional leader with a passion for supporting people and creating positive sustainable change embedded in social cohesion, good relations and regeneration principles. Joy’s extensive leadership experience in the last 20 years has led to mature exceptional knowledge and skills in corporate governance, strategic visioning, business planning, operational planning, change management and organisational management and all aspects of programme design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation. Joy has designed and led in a number of flagship/transformational projects/programmes across Northern Ireland. Joy is currently employed with the Strategic Investment Board and is embedded in The Executive Office as a Strategic Advisor. She holds a degree in Business Studies from UU, Masters in Law (Corporate Governance and Public Policy) from Queens, an Executive Certificate in Corporate Responsibility from McGill University an Executive Certificate from Oxford University in Strategic Programme/Leadership and in September will commence a Fellowship Programme with the University of Bath on Policy Research. Joy also serves on the Board of Playboard and the Audit Committee of COSICA.
Peter McKittrick
Treasurer
Peter is Public Affairs Specialist ~ Northern Ireland, U.S. Consulate Belfast. Peter oversees the Public Diplomacy function for the U.S. Department of State in Northern Ireland. He has oversight for a range of responsibilities that augment international connections or develop awareness of U.S. foreign policies. His role has involved the management of high-level events at home and abroad, including Presidential/State visits, G8/G20 summits, and rapid-response work overseas in the physical evacuation of American citizens. He provides strategic direction to a number of management boards run by the British Council, the International Fund for Ireland and Belfast City Council. In addition, he sits on a number of selection panels for international initiatives such as the Washington Ireland Program, the U.K. Fulbright Commission, and the Irish Institute at Boston College. A graduate in Tourism from the University of Northumbria, Peter has previously occupied roles in Moyle District Council, and Armagh City Council and the Northern Ireland Tourist Board. He holds an MSc with Distinction in Political Communication and Public Affairs. Born and bred in County Armagh, he is married with two young children.
Liam Pettigrew
Liam also serves as a Trustee with Belfast Star Basketball Club and is a Director with Basketball Northern Ireland Limited.
Trevor Ringland
A Partner in the firm of Macaulay & Ritchie, Solicitors, in Belfast, having studied law at Queen’s University Belfast, he played rugby for Queen’s University Belfast, Ballymena, Ulster, Ireland and the British Lions. Trevor is a former Vice Chairman of East Belfast Ulster Unionist Party; and Co-Chairman of the One Small Step Campaign, promoting a shared future for the people of Northern Ireland; and a Director of The Ireland Funds and The Mediation Network. He is also a Trustee of the RUC George Cross Foundation and a Non-Executive Director of Independent News & Media (NI) Ltd. Trevor has also served as a member of the Policing Board for Northern Ireland. He is Vice Chairman of Rally Ireland and is on the Northern Ireland Board of the British Council (Northern Ireland).
Michael Morrow
Michael has been volunteering with PeacePlayers for this past three years through partnership with the Study USA Alumni Association of which he is the chairman. The Study USA program sends Northern Ireland Students to American Colleges for a year to study business and has just celebrated its 20th anniversary. Michael Studied Management and Computer Science at Queens University Belfast and graduated in 2002 after having also spent a year at the University of Evansville in Indiana Studying Business. He worked in England as a Software Developer for Atos Origin before returning to Northern Ireland to work for the PRM Group of companies which is his family business. PRM is Ireland’s largest independent chilled foods company employing 200 staff in Sales, Logistics, Transport and Manufacturing. Michael is a keen motorcyclist and is the Head Road Captain and Webmaster for the Belfast Chapter Harley Owners Group.
Roisin Brown
Róisín grew up on the North Coast. She discovered her love of sport as a pupil of Coleraine
High School where Róisín played hockey and football as well as keenly participating in
Athletics. She played for Coleraine ladies Football Club for 10 years where she also coached
the young ladies. Upon moving to Belfast Róisín continued to pursue her love of playing and
coaching football with Comber Rec FC.
Róisín is passionately curious about our journey towards peace in Northern Ireland, both in
her current role as a community police officer and through her involvement in projects such
as the World Economic Forum Global City Shapers. In 2013 she participated in the
Washington Ireland Program for service and leadership, returning to Northern Ireland to
work in the devolved Government in Stormont until early 2017.
Róisín joined the Board of Peace Players in 2022. Using sport to progress reconciliation in
Northern Ireland compliments her ongoing work as a police officer at a Belfast
interface. Róisín is passionate about the experiences of young people in particular, and an
advocate of using sport as a common ground for young people of different background to
develop friendships and have important conversations.
Alan McNally
As Design Director in Page Setup, Alan is responsible for devising design strategy and ensuring the companies Clients are communicating, efficiently and effectively. A chartered designer, he has been involved in the design and delivery of many high profile campaigns for both the public and private sectors and spent many years overseas working for major design and advertising agencies including the Mojo agency in Australia. With over 23 years experience in design and marketing he continually addresses all elements within the ever changing communications field. A keen sportsman, Alan fought for Ireland’s main Karate team who were based in Dublin, throughout the golden years of karate (late 80s up to 1994) and was one of the youngest fighters to represent Ireland at full international level gaining over 14 full international caps. He was also awarded one of the highest grades in Ireland at that time by the legendary Tatsuo Suzuki, 8th Dan (Hanshi). He has also a keen interest in boxing and was involved in coaching both Karate and Boxing in areas of social deprivation throughout Belfast. He still maintains a strong interest in sport and the benefits it can deliver.
Emma Clegg (Gibson)
Emma is an experienced fundraising manager working with the Royal National Lifeboat Institution for 11 years, specialising in event fundraising, community and small corporate fundraising in Northern Ireland. More recently she has managed a remote team of staff across the island of Ireland and Scotland to support volunteers and engage with the community.
Prior to joining the RNLI Emma worked for the Northern Ireland Civil Service as a graduate entrant as a Project Team Leader in the Social Security Agency focusing on managing a direct marketing campaign and project management. Emma holds a BSC (Hons) degree in Geography from Queens University Belfast and spent a year studying business at Albright College in Reading Pennsylvania through the Business Education Initiative. She holds the Chartered Institute of Marketing Diploma in Marketing and is currently studying for the Advanced Diploma in Sustainable Investment for the Third Sector at the Ulster University. She is a certified member of the Institute of Fundraising and a member of Fundraising Ireland.
Clare Guinness
is a finance graduate and Chartered Director, Clare has over 25 years commercial and board experience. Clare is passionate about creating a stable and inclusive society valuing the positive impact of Peace Players activities in that regard. She also has had a keen interest in basketball playing at school and university. Clare has recently been appointed CEO of Belfast Chamber.
Tony Young
has worked in the education sector for over twenty years and first got involved with PeacePlayers through a twinning project between schools in North Belfast. Both of his daughters have benefited from participation in PeacePlayers programmes over the years and Tony has maintained a keen interest in the work of the group. In 2017 Tony became principal of a primary school in County Antrim and has been involved in supporting potential leaders in education as well as mentoring newly appointed principals. Outside school, Tony regularly performs with local theatre companies at theatres such as Lisburn’s Island Hall and the Grand Opera House in Belfast. Tony is also a Trustee of Crumlin Integrated Playgroup.
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