Organisers at a boxing club in Dungannon, Northern Ireland have revealed how the sport has helped people from different communities and backgrounds to integrate successfully.

The club’s gym is located in the Milltown area which would traditionally be seen as a Protestant or unionist part of the town. However these days Dungannon has one of Northern Ireland's fastest-growing migrant communities.

Dee Jardine, whose father started Dungannon Boxing Club out of his garage in 1987, explained how the club has worked hard to make everyone feel welcome.

COMMUNITIES

"We're trying to bring to bring different communities under one roof, training together and getting on together and sport has the power to do that," he told BBC Northern Ireland.

"Dungannon is a very multi-cultural town, so not only do we have people from different religions training side by side, we have a huge amount of different cultures mixing. It's great to see and I'm proud of it."

Dee says all young people are welcome, even those worried about paying a gym membership.

"As long as they have good work ethic, and they're polite and respectful, we'll work something out," he added.

UNITED

It's something that his son Lee, who boxes at the club, also feels passionate about.

"There are lads here I would have never met if it wasn't for the club, Protestant, Catholic, different ethnic backgrounds, it doesn't matter, we're all united by boxing, it's a very mixed community," said the 17-year-old.

"Boxing has taught me a lot life lessons including discipline and resilience, and we may fight in the ring, but outside when we see each other in town or whatever, we're all mates."

Read the full story on BBC Northern Ireland.

Pic credit: BBC Northern Ireland.

This story supports these goals and missions: