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The first Inter Faith Football Competition was held in March with the help of Northamptonshire Association of Youth Clubs [NAYC] and was a great success. Young people aged 11- 14 years representing the Christian, Muslim, Sikh and Hindu faiths all came together and formed inter faith teams representing their local area. They competed well for the winners title and trophy, and to show that faith does not have to divide but can bring people together.
The games were great to watch, competitive but played in the right spirit. The league format allowed for each team to play each other once with the teams that came first and second playing off for winners and runners up trophies.
NAYC was very pleased to help stage the event in part as a response to the number of faith groups now affiliating with them. These groups, who are one reason for the increase in numbers over the last three years, are seeing a resurgence of interest in what they are offering as they seek to address the spiritual needs of young people as well as the mental and physical ones.
There was obvious demand to hold another inter-faith football tournament
next year which will be planned for March 2011 with room for more young people
from a wider age range.
NIFF would
be very keen to see a Young People's Inter Faith Council established; and are
willing to support such a forum in its early stages. If you are between 15 and
21 years of age and would like to be involved. Please contact the NIFF Secretary.
(For a good example of this working in practice go to www.community-spirit.org.uk and follow the link to Youth Council)