The HEROS Programme Takes to The Ice

August 14, 2018

Dundonald International Ice Bowl has hosted the 11th year of the highly successful cross community Giants HEROS Programme with an energy packed ice hockey camp and big game, involving over 50 young people from Lisburn, Belfast, Bangor, Holywood, Swords, Dublin and Kinloss in Scotland.

The programme aims to use ice hockey and other shared experiences as catalysts to bring young people together to develop their leadership skills and promote a greater understanding and respect for each other.  It builds on a successful model developed by the youth partners; Crosscare, Army Welfare Services, Ballynafeigh Community  Development Association and the DICE project, along with the international partners H.E.R.O.S Canada.

As part of this year’s programme, the young people spent 3 hours each day on the ice at the Dundonald facility, alongside Canadian HEROS volunteers.  At the end of the week, the children had the opportunity to showcase their new skills with a fun ice hockey tournament watched by their friends and family.

Chairman of the Council`s Leisure & Community Development Committee, Alderman Paul Porter was delighted to host the ice hockey camp at Dundonald International Ice Bowl: “The Council was pleased to support the HEROS programme for another year and welcome the many young people, coaches and volunteers to our ice rink in Dundonald.

“Sport plays an important role in bringing young people together to take part in positive activity which promotes a culture of teamwork and understanding for one another. I would like to thank the organisers and Canadian HEROS volunteers for delivering such an innovative programme which will hopefully have a major impact on the lives of these young people as they apply their new skills and experiences off the ice.”

Organiser Ken McQuillan added, “The programme works towards giving young people a unique opportunity to learn and develop life skills in ice hockey while developing aspirations for themselves and building relationships between young people from different backgrounds. 

“The programme has been running for 11 years and we are delighted to celebrate the talent, friendships and skills being developed as a result of the programme.  We hope that every young person gains from the experience and takes away positive messages from this unique project.”