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Articles by Jason Sime
The Casement Park Saga Explained
With the approval from Northern Ireland Infrastructure minister Nichola Mallon for the redevelopment of Casement Park in west Belfast a long political and sporting saga appears to be at an end. The estimated cost of redevelopment is £110 million. The expected stadium capacity is 34,500 people. Casement is the last of three stadiums redeveloped across Belfast, with Windsor Park in the south and the Kingspan (Ravenhill) towards the east having been completed previously.
Winning people over, without winning
Euro 2020 (held one year late) came to an end with Italy’s penalty shoot-out win against England in the final. The competition caught the public’s attention thanks to England’s most successful campaign since 1966 and the availability of every match on free-to-air television. Outside of England, loyalties have been split across these islands. Many of us follow the “anyone but the English” approach, but this particular England team attracted new supporters over the course of the campaign.
Anything the men can do…
Northern Ireland’s women’s football team has achieved the incredible feat of qualifying for the 2022 European Championships. Manager Kenny Shiels described his squad as “the best achievers of all time,“ ranking the team above the men who qualified for the Euros in 2016 and even above local sports stars of global fame such as Rory Mcilroy or Carl Frampton. So is he right? Just how momentous is the achievement of our women’s team?
2030 World Cup: A Competition We Could All Look Forward To
News broke recently of a joint five-association bid from the four UK nations and the Republic of Ireland to host the 2030 FIFA World Cup. This is potentially an exciting chance to see part of the largest football competition played right on our own doorstep, so how likely is this bid to succeed and what could it mean for Northern Ireland? Of the five nations, only England has hosted the World Cup previously, having won the competition on home soil in 1966.
Why we need to keep the electoral register up to date
The Electoral Office will be updating Northern Ireland’s electoral register this year, ahead of the 2022 Assembly election. The plans have prompted opposition from Sinn Féin, while other parties have accused Sinn Féin of spreading fake news. So, what is actually happening, and should we be worried about people losing their vote? The electoral register is a vital part of a functioning democracy.
Under review: Northern Ireland's constituency boundaries
It has generally been accepted that electoral boundaries need to be regularly updated. Over time population levels change and so constituency boundaries must also change to reflect this. For example, there are currently 58,302 registered voters in Newcastle Upon Tyne Central and Bristol West has 99,859, but each constituency only elects one MP. Recent efforts to correct these kinds of imbalances have failed.
We’re a diverse bunch. We like it that way: My East Belfast GAA Story
The formation of a Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) club in the traditionally unionist area of East Belfast has inspired many across Northern Ireland. To members and supporters alike, in addition to providing sporting opportunities, the club represents a thirst for positive change. Kimberly Robertson, an American living in East Belfast, shares her story of getting involved with the club.
Irish cricket: Reasons for optimism, on and off the pitch
Ireland’s cricket team travelled to England for three One Day International matches over the summer. This was the two teams’ first series as part of the 2023 world cup qualifying league. World champions England won the series 2-1, but it was a very important moment for Ireland. From a performance perspective, Ireland’s match victory marks just the second time it has beaten England – and provides a valuable 10 points in the qualifying league.
Loot boxes: What are they and why should we care?
Many people will never have heard of ‘loot boxes’, but these video game microtransactions can have a big impact on society. They made headlines recently after the House of Lords Gambling Committee determined that they should be treated as gambling and regulated as such. But just how big a deal are loot boxes, and is this kind of action really necessary? What are loot boxes? Loot boxes are a form of microtransaction.
Ian Baraclough picks up where Michael O'Neill left off
Ian Baraclough is the new Northern Ireland manager. For many this will be an unfamiliar name, but those who follow local football closely will know him from his time spent as Northern Ireland’s under-21 squad manager for the last few years. In this sense, Baraclough is a natural continuity candidate from Michael O’Neill.
Evangelical voting in Northern Ireland: It’s more complicated than it seems
Northern Slant provides a space for thoughtful conversations on the politics of Northern Ireland. Jason Sime, a youth and children’s worker in the Presbyterian Church, reflects on his experience of the complicated relationship between religion and politics. Recently on Northern Slant Michael Avila wrote about howDonald Trump had successfully secured the evangelical Christian vote in the United States.
How churches can continue to function during lockdown
Edwin Poots, the Environment Minister, recently suggested thatreopening churches could be considered in the coming weeks. Perhaps this might be possible for private prayer, but leaders of the four main churches in Northern Ireland have said it would betoo early to consider normal services until wider lockdown restrictions have been eased. In a church that is full on a Sunday, with a large age range, many vulnerable people would be put at risk.
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