Project Ains Nyuk in Kilkenny is promoting leadership through sport

The Ains Nyk project, which promotes leadership through sport and inclusion reached another milestone recently when they were presented with their sports kit.

The project was launched last September at the O'Loughlin Court Community Centre by Superintendent Derek Hughes of Kilkenny Garda Station in conjunction with Traveller Pride week.

This garda-led project is a new leadership and development campaign focusing on expanding the skills of chosen leaders in the Traveller community. It aims to promote those chosen individuals as role models within their community.

Selected youth leaders from two communities in Kilkenny City St Mary’s and St Catherine’s, James O’Reilly and Michael Carty, were present at the launch and said that they were delighted with the project which offers opportunities to showcase skills and to build relationships with gardaí. It is intended that through involvement in various sporting activities, training, education and employment that these two men will in turn mentor the younger members of their community to access education which in turn would boost their employment opportunities.

Representatives from Kilkenny Recreation and Sports Partnership, a supporter of the project presented two sets of jerseys to the project manager Sergeant David Gorman at Kilkenny Garda Station last Wednesday. A five-a-side soccer tournament is planned for over the coming weeks between teams from both communities and other city clubs and the jerseys will be proudly worn by both teams.

Crests representing the values of the two communities featured on the team jerseys and were designed by Cartoon Saloon and Lighthouse Studios, also supporting the project.

Superintendent Hughes said that he hopes the project will help break down barriers and will be a positive outlet.

“It is hoped that Project Ains Nyuk will showcase Travellers in a positive light breaking down barriers and dismissing the negative perception can sometimes be found to exist in the community towards them. It is also hoped that this will be of great benefit to the mental health of the young Traveller community and will provide a positive outlet for young people in these communities.”