The Department of Justice funded Steering & Sparring Community Safety Innovation Programme commenced May 2023. The programme co-ordinator Rickey Nesbitt, is not only a qualified youth worker and boxing trainer, but also Irish Elite Champion, Irish International Boxer, Northern Irish Commonwealth Games Boxer, Winner of the European Championship Cup and two times winner of the Harrington Cup London.

The delivery pathway of this programme is through boxing training and skills, healthy minds, healthy bodies, addressing risk taking behaviour, safe driving and community engagement.

The programme provides one to one support and group activities promoting healthy minds, healthy bodies, and community safety to youths ages 16+, in addition to a weekly boxercise programme for ages 12+ youths.

One of the achievements of the programme to date is the delivery of a cross border Summer Splash Programme for young people from Omeath and the Newry Mourne & Down District Council area.

The programme delivered a positive mental health initiative by Olympic Boxing Bronze medallist Aidan Walsh, Knife and Edged Weapon Awareness Programme by Judo Commonwealth medallist Mark Montgomery. 

The programme was endorsed by Minister of State at the Department of Justice James Browne TD by a visit to Omeath in August 2023.