Baseball Fusion Initiative Will Empower Local Children Through Sports
PORTADOWN, Northern Ireland, January 15, 2025 – Healthy Kidz CIC has launched an innovative sports initiative aimed at empowering young leaders through baseball. Known as “Baseball Fusion,” the program is funded by The Ireland Funds and the Irish American Baseball Society. It was developed through a collaborative partnership with Oasis Youth Group and Emerald Diamond International. The program will run from 10–14 February at Lismore College.
As part of the program, Irish baseball star Joe Cosgrove will offer training and share his expertise with both children and coaches. A former collegiate baseball player and Team Ireland gold medallist, Cosgrove currently coaches baseball in the United States and plays for the Irish Wolfhounds Baseball Club.
“Baseball Fusion is about more than just teaching kids a sport,” said Paul Carvill, Director of Healthy Kidz. “It’s about building a community, developing young leaders, and giving children the chance to experience something new and exciting. We are thrilled to have Joe Cosgrove bring his expertise and passion for baseball to Portadown and inspire the next generation of leaders and athletes.”
The program will begin with a two-day intensive course on baseball fundamentals, led by Joe Cosgrove and Healthy Kidz coaches, for youth leaders aged 14-18. Over the next three days, these youth leaders will collaborate with their coaches to deliver engaging, interactive sessions that introduce the basics of baseball to children, aged 8-12.
Baseball Fusion expands upon the successful partnerships between Healthy Kidz, Oasis Youth Group, and Emerald Diamond International. Annually, these collaborations provide sports instruction to over 10,000 children in Armagh, including the introduction of baseball to 2,000 children in school physical education classes.
Bethany Ebron, a representative from Community Intercultural Programme – Oasis, shared her excitement on the new initiative: “Baseball Fusion is a fantastic opportunity to equip young people in Portadown with leadership skills while fostering a love for sports. This program combines teamwork, mentorship, and community engagement in a way that’s truly inspiring.”
Baseball Fusion represents a critical next step in the growth of youth baseball in Northern Ireland, creating a sustainable model for introducing the game to children while empowering older youth to take on leadership roles.
For more information about Baseball Fusion or to register, contact Bethany on 07516230448 or email bethany.ebron@cipni.com
About Healthy Kidz CIC:
Healthy Kidz Community Interest Company (CIC), is the leading outsourced coaching provider of PE and physical activity in Northern Ireland. We’re proud to be actively trusted by over 140 primary schools throughout the 6 counties at this time. As well as this, our Healthy Lifestylez initiative has been embraced by several councils, delivering a wide range of Health and wellbeing activities to adults; with over 50s, and those with disabilities – just some of the many that are involved. We have the exciting peace-building ‘United Youth Initiative’ commencing in 2025 also which will target 7000+ young people across three years, throughout ten counties. Our 40+ full time staff are extremely passionate about what we do, with our core purpose to help every individual achieve their best possible state of wellbeing. To get a better idea of who we are, please visit https://healthy-kidz.com/
About Community Intercultural Programme – Oasis:
CIP, (Community Intercultural Programme) came into existence in Sept 2006 in response to the emerging needs of Ethnic Communities in the Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon area. CIP is committed to supporting people from different cultural and ethnic backgrounds, enabling them to fully integrate into and participate in an equitable society which represents difference and celebrates diversity.
Oasis is the children’s & youth provision of CIP, established in 2010, Oasis has supported over 5000 children and young people through programmes, personal development, leadership, Drop In provision, Holiday schemes and partnership programmes. For more information, visit https://www.oasisyouthni.co.uk
About Emerald Diamond International:
Emerald Diamond International is a US-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, founded in 2006, with a mission to support youth baseball programs around the world. EDI is the parent organization of the Irish American Baseball Society and has been working in Ireland and Northern Ireland since 2006 through the Irish Youth Baseball Program.
###
