The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge showed their sporty sides on their final engagement in Northern Ireland, joining in with local players and coaches to highlight a local sporting initiative.
At the City of Derry Rugby Club, William and Kate learned more about the ‘Sport Uniting Communities’ initiative that functions as a collaboration between the Irish Football Association, Ulster Gaelic Athletic Association and Ulster Rugby to promote peace and reconciliation.
According to the Irish Football Association’s website, this initiative could reach up to 17,000 people of varying backgrounds to change perceptions and build the relationships between participants.
Kensington Palace notes that the initiative “uses the reach of each sport to promote meaningful, purposeful and sustained contact between individuals from different backgrounds – particularly across the religious divide – resulting in a change in perception and relationships.”
i-Images/ Pool
During their visit, William and Kate watched young people participating in the sports offered by the initiative and joined in as well. They also spoke with players, coaches, and volunteers about the initiative and how it has worked to bring together people from different communities and backgrounds.
Before leaving, William told those gathered at the rugby club that he and Kate were impressed by the sporting initiative.
He said that it was great “seeing all the smiling faces outside, running around, joining in the sports and having a really good time it is fantastic. I think seeing the communities come together and be able to work together, play together, have fun together, it is a really strong message you are sending out here. On the back of a pandemic is not the easiest time to be doing all this, but hopefully it refocuses minds about what is important in life and what you are doing here is truly inspirational.”
William and Kate earlier visited Ulster University’s Magee Campus to meet with nursing, paramedic and medical students. William said their visit to the university provided them a “very warm welcome and a bit of Irish whiskey as well, which went down extremely well.”
