Community sports camp in Co. Down cancelled over inclusion of GAA kids

A summer sports camp in Co. Down has been cancelled after criticism from a local Orange lodge for the inclusion of children from a GAA club.

The North Down Cricket Club in Comber had planned to host the event this Friday, July 18 for young people of diverse backgrounds. The club invited ten different community organisations and local sports clubs, including a small group of children from the East Belfast GAA.

However, in a statement posted to social media yesterday afternoon, the Goldsprings of Comber Loyal Orange Lodge claimed town residents had concerns over the "perceived move of the GAA into the local community."

"While the promotion of sport and youth engagement is widely supported across all sectors of society, many local residents have raised reservations about the GAA’s cultural and historical affiliations," the lodge wrote.

The statement claimed there was "unease" in regard to residents' association of the GAA with "paramilitary activity."

The cricket club responded today with a statement on their website, claiming that "the spirit of the camp was at risk of being lost" and announcing the camp would be cancelled.

"At North Down, we welcome people from all walks of life," the club wrote.

"The Sport Summer Camp was created to give young people from different backgrounds a chance to enjoy cricket, try something new, and simply have fun."

Their statement explained that the camp was planned "with the aim of building friendships through shared activity." They added that the invitees included groups supporting ethnic minorities, and that "a small group of children from a GAA club was just one part of that broader mix."

"But let’s be clear: openness is not a threat. Respect is not surrender. And our culture is not so fragile that it can’t be shared," the club wrote.

First Minister of Northern Ireland Michelle O'Neill denounced the cancellation in a post on X last night.

"Children should be allowed to play together at summer camp without facing intolerance," O'Neill wrote.

"We need to send a clear message that we will continue moving forward together to build a brighter society and overcome such unacceptable intolerance."

Children should be allowed to play together at summer camp without facing intolerance.

These developments are deeply worrying and unacceptable.

Sport has the power to unify.

Political representatives must call this out. We need to send a clear message that we will continue… https://t.co/3rN6koAc6R

— Michelle O’Neill (@moneillsf) July 15, 2025

Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew spoke out on social media, calling the decision "deeply disturbing."

"Children, including from East Belfast GAA, should be able to play together in an inclusive and respectful environment, to build friendships and get to know each other," Gildernew wrote.

"There should be no place in our society for the attitudes and prejudices behind these developments."

Deeply disturbing that North Down Cricket Club felt compelled to cancel its cross-community summer camp due to intolerance of some. Children, including from East Belfast GAA, deserve to play together in an inclusive, respectful environment. Leaders must call out this prejudice. pic.twitter.com/6lZS3JhAvo

— Colm Gildernew MLA (@GildernewColm) July 15, 2025

At the time of writing, there are no plans to reinstate or reschedule the camp.