Rights at the Finish Line

Justin McMinn, Co-Founder of Street Soccer Northern Ireland

In this episode we get to hear from Justin McMinn, Co-Founder of Street Soccer Northern Ireland. Street Soccer NI is a charity aiming to bring positive change to people’s lives using sport. It helps groups such as the homeless, people with addictions, mental health issues, ex prisoners, refugees, asylum seekers and long term unemployed. Alongside football sessions they offer support with housing, employment, education, addictions, mental health issues and more. Justin speaks to us about his own journey in sport, and what led him to co-founding Street Soccer Northern Ireland. Justin highlights the breadth of work and initiatives Street Soccer is involved in; from the Homeless World Cup and mental health workshops through to their charity shop aimed at providing goods and essentials to those in difficulty. Justin's commitment to helping as many people as possible comes through as he chats to the Rights at the Finish Line podcast. As a member of the NI Sport & Human Rights Forum, Street Soccer Northern Ireland have signed up to the ⁠⁠⁠Declaration on Sport and Human Rights⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.declarationonsportandhumanrights.com/the-declaration/]. To learn more about NI Sport & Human Rights Forum and the Declaration on Sport and Human Rights, see ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠ [https://nihrc.org/our-work/other-sites/sport-human-rights]. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the speakers and/or their organisations and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission.

Gareth Harper, Managing Director at PeacePlayers Northern Ireland

In this episode we get to hear from Gareth Harper, Managing Director at PeacePlayers Northern Ireland. PeacePlayers Northern Ireland uses sport and specifically basketball to engage with young people, breaking down barriers and promoting anti-sectarianism. PeacePlayers Northern Ireland operates conflict resolution education and leadership development activities for young people in Northern Ireland. Gareth speaks to us about his own journey, including sporting achievements with his mum and the passion for his work with PeacePlayers shines through. As a member of the NI Sport & Human Rights Forum, PeacePlayers have signed up to the ⁠⁠⁠Declaration on Sport and Human Rights⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.declarationonsportandhumanrights.com/the-declaration/]. To learn more about NI Sport & Human Rights Forum and the Declaration on Sport and Human Rights, see ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠ [https://nihrc.org/our-work/other-sites/sport-human-rights]. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the speakers and/or their organisations and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission.

Brian Caskey, Youth Worker & Founding Member at Limestone United

In this episode we get to hear from Brian Caskey, Youth Worker and one of the founders of Limestone United. Limestone United is a cross-community football club bringing people together, giving young people a voice and using the medium of sport to build good relations in Lower North Belfast area. Brian chats to us about his journey, from his beginnings as a policeman through to setting up Limestone United. He speaks passionately about how the group has been transforming the lives of young people in the area and promoting anti-sectarianism, equality, and friendship. As a member of the NI Sport & Human Rights Forum, Limestone United have signed up to the ⁠⁠⁠Declaration on Sport and Human Rights⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.declarationonsportandhumanrights.com/the-declaration/]. To learn more about NI Sport & Human Rights Forum and the Declaration on Sport and Human Rights, see ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠ [https://nihrc.org/our-work/other-sites/sport-human-rights]. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the speakers and/or their organisations and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission.

Judith Rankin, Northern Ireland National Manager at Sported

In this episode we get to hear from Judith Rankin, Northern Ireland National Manager at Sported. Judith chats to us about her journey in sport, as well as some of the great work being done by Sported, such as their Pulse survey; projects increasing the capacity of local organisations to support young people; and efforts to tackle current issues such as cost of living challenges. As a member of the NI Sport & Human Rights Forum, Sported have signed up to the ⁠⁠⁠Declaration on Sport and Human Rights⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.declarationonsportandhumanrights.com/the-declaration/]. To learn more about NI Sport & Human Rights Forum and the Declaration on Sport and Human Rights, see ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠ [https://nihrc.org/our-work/other-sites/sport-human-rights]. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the speakers and/or their organisations and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission.

Simone Magill, Women's Premier League Footballer & Northern Ireland International

To celebrate International Women's Day 2024 and to kick off Season three of Rights at the Finish Line we are delighted to speak with Simone Magill, footballer with Aston Villa and Northern Ireland International. Simone tells us about her journey in football and the barriers encountered and broken as she blazed a trail in her rise to the top as Northern Ireland's first professional female footballer. We explore how far female football has come and how much it still has to go in terms of equality and inclusion. Simone also speaks about the power of education and provides advice for young girls today who are looking to play football whether recreationally or professionally.