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Background
North Belfast Harriers (NBH) is one of the most successful and
enduring athletic clubs in Ireland. The club formed in Belfast in
1896 and since then the old gold and chocolate club colours have
competed with great distinction and success at local, national and
international levels. NBH has become a renowned force in road and
cross country running at all distances up to and including the marathon,
and remains one of the leading clubs in Ireland at all ages, from
youths through to veteran runners. The fact that NBH has continued
to survive in one of the most troubled areas of Northern Ireland
for many years, is proof of its commitment to the cause of community
service and of amateur athletics in Northern Ireland. Location NBH
has been located at Divisview Hall, Oldpark Terrace in north Belfast
for over 70 years. North Belfast is one of the most socially deprived
areas of Northern Ireland, if not Europe, with very high levels of
unemployment. The area is renowned for violent sectarian problems
and has been daubed by the media as the "murder triangle" of
Belfast. NBH is proud that it has succeeded over many years, in crossing
the sectarian divide and has developed a fully integrated cross community
membership. It is in recognition of this policy that NBH enjoy the
goodwill and support of all sections of the community. Premises
New Beginings
The Harriers are in the process of having a new clubhouse built
on the old Divisview Hall site. The new site will boast state of
the art equipment and facilities for all members. Membership which
has grown gradually over the past 10 years, is drawn from a cross
section of the community and mostly from the north Belfast area.
Presently, NBH does not have any female changing or showering facilities
so membership is almost exclusively male. Membership currently stands
at 80 senior members and 4 junior members. Ages of senior members
range from 18 - 70 years, with about half the senior members in the
veteran category (age 40 + years). it is an indication of the loyalty
and commitment of club members that a significant number have been
life - long members of NBH for periods of 30, 40 and even 50 years.
The provision of new premises with adequate facilities would enable
NBH to develop its junior and female membership and secure its long
term future.
Achievements
Without doubt, the greatest achievement of NBH is that for just
over 100 years, it has not only survived in the most difficult of
circumstances, but has prospered in its efforts to provide a cross
- community environment in which athletes could share friendship
and comradeship in a sport which they enjoy. In doing this, NBH has
been a safe haven in an area of Belfast characterised by sectarian
divisions. That in itself, has been an outstanding achievement of
which NBH is very proud. The athletic achievements of NBH have been
remarkably high and its members have represented their country at
both the Olympic and Commonwealth Games. There are currently around
fifteen Northern Ireland international runners in NBH and there is
impressive strength in depth throughout the membership. Individual
and team titles currently held include: Irish National
Senior Men's Cross Country Champion
N. Ireland Senior Cross Country Team Champions.
N. Ireland Junior Individual Cross Country Champion
N. Ireland Half Marathon Team Champions
N. Ireland and Ireland Veterans Cross Country Team Champions
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