Champions cup celebrates diversity while building equality and community

The 2021 Unite the union Champions Cup tournament will be launched on Thursday October 14^th at 12.30 pm in the Pat Jennings Lounge, National Stadium at Windsor Park.  The tournament brings together the league champions from north and south to showcase the skills and wealth of Irish football. This year’s Champions Cup will involve two play-offs in Northern Ireland and the Republic, followed by a final to be played at a venue to be decided.

Speaking ahead of the launch, Unite Regional Secretary Jackie Pollock highlighted the union’s work with communities as part of its sponsorship:

“The Unite the union Champions Cup is about celebrating our diversity, promoting equality and building community.  This year Unite is again working with local community groupings alongside the clubs targeted at improving the lives and opportunities of those in greatest need”.

Jeff Robinson is Chair of Unite’s Irish Executive Committee and added:

“Over the last two years Unite has been working on the ground with schools, with deprived communities and in direct provision centres. The Champions Cup is more than a match – it’s about using football to reach into communities and make a real difference.

“This year we will be working with schools in marginalised communities on both sides of the border too roll out a new STEM education initiative sponsored by Unite.  This unique educational resource comprises six miniature football pitches together with 15 interactive robots programmed by the learners to perform tasks, such as playing football, helping develop skills in sport, maths, computer programming and coding.  Unite’s sponsorship of the Champions Cup is all about our communities”, Mr Robinson concluded.