New podcast series celebrates sport and human rights

A new podcast highlights how embedding human rights into their work has helped major sporting organisations make a positive impact in the community.

The Rights at the Finish Line podcast has been launched to shine a spotlight on the people and sports promoting human rights for all.

This first series focuses on members of the NI Sport and Human Rights Forum who have signed up to the Declaration of Sport and Human Rights.

We hear from influential members within Netball NI, Ulster GAA, Ulster Rugby, Swim Ireland, and Commonwealth Games NI about how embedding human rights into their work can be used to make a positive impact in our society. Hearing about their own personal journeys in and through sport, they tell us what drives them to promote human rights and the good work their sports are doing in the community.

The series also explores how sports tackle disability and accessibility; racism, sectarianism and homophobia; promote inclusivity and safeguarding; grow their sports for women and girls; and the impact of poverty and the cost of living crisis.

The first two episodes released will hear from Karen Rollo, Executive Manager at Netball NI, and Diarmaid Marsden, Head of Club and Community Development Department at Ulster GAA.

NI Human Rights Chief Commissioner, Alyson Kilpatrick said:

We are delighted to launch this podcast series, which will provide a platform to members of the NI Sport and Human Rights Forum, to highlight the many ways sport can advance the protection of human rights.

Hearing peoples’ sporting journeys and learning about the amazing work that is ongoing to promote a wide range of important human rights issues is inspiring. This work has been particularly influential in improving inclusion, accessibility, participation, safeguarding and tackling hate. The Commission is delighted to be part of this work and looks forward to even better things.”

NI Sport and Human Rights Forum Chair, Conal Heatley said:

“All of these sporting bodies are members of our NI Sport and Human Rights Forum and have signed up to our Declaration of Sport and Human Rights. This Declaration sets out a number of commitments to ensuring that sport is used to advance the protection of all who are impacted by sport.

As one of the participants in this first podcast series it has been an amazing opportunity to speak about how sport has impacted my own life, as well as how Commonwealth Games NI has been able to embed the Declaration of Sport and Human Rights into its work, and the impact we have been able to make on the community as a result.

Through this podcast series it has been heartening to see how other sporting organisations have embraced the Declaration and moved to place human rights at the heart of everything they do, and their enthusiastic commitment to respect and protect human rights for all.”

ENDS

Media queries: For media queries please contact Jason McKeown on 07769361156 or at media@nihrc.org

Notes

• The Rights at the Finish Line podcast is being launched on Wednesday 5 October 2022.
• Listen to a preview on Spotify.The first two episodes will hear from Netball NI and Ulster GAA.
• Listen to Karen Rollo, Executive Manager at Netball NI.
• Listen to Diarmaid Marsden, Head of Club and Community Development at Ulster GAA.
• The podcast is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcast, and more platforms will be added moving forward.