We are part of a world-wide organization called “Rallies”. Every Boy’s Rally (EBR) and Every Girl’s Rally (EGR) are events that are put on every week that are based on Christian principles found in God’s Word the Bible. These rallies are designed to teach your child how to develop Christian principles in their lives through a relationship with Jesus Christ and the study of God’s Word. EBR and EGR also aim to cater to your child’s spiritual, emotional, educational, physical and social needs through a well-rounded programme.
A typical rally night involves a Bible Study, crafts, team games and challenges as well as other fun and exciting activities. We welcome all children of all traditions, beliefs, and backgrounds to attend and participate in Every Boy’s Rally and Every Girl’s Rally.
With this aim in view a committee was formed and met in Auckland. They designed a programme, chose a uniform and planned badges.
The two main founders of the Rally movement, Mr L B Clarke and Mr A L Harris visited Australia and soon Rallies were started there. It wasn’t long before other countries heard of Rallies and more Rally groups were formed.
In 1958 Mr Clarke came on holiday to N Ireland and some people heard from him about Rallies. A number of interested Assembly leaders were then invited to meet Mr Clarke and to learn about this work.
The youth leaders in Victoria Memorial Hall, May Steet Belfast had been looking at the possibility of introducing a structured uniformed organisation with a strong spiritual influence. On hearing of Rallies they realised this was exactly what they were looking for.
Half a Century of Rallies NI A group met to discuss forming Rallies in N. Ireland. Uniforms were chosen and an overall programme suitable for their members was organised. In 1958 the first Northern Ireland Every Boy’s Rally was started in Victoria Memorial Hall. An Every Girl’s Rally started the following year. Soon other churches and assemblies decided to adopt the Rally movement.
Nowadays, Rallies meet in nine venues across Northern Ireland
What do they do?
Members have lots of fun doing different activities which include making things, crafts, music, games, sports, stories, going on visits, making friends, and working towards their badges.
Everything a child in the TinyTots / Sparrows / Early Years Rally does helps them to develop and to think for themselves, in a safe environment.
There are big changes in a child’s mental, emotional, social and physical development at this stage so the weekly programme will provide a wide variety of different activities recognising that all children are different and have a variety of needs. The children will learn Bible stories and verses and sing their favourite choruses.
What else do I need to know? Like the other age groups, members have a special uniform that they can wear. As everyone wears the same thing they feel as though they belong. However nobody is excluded because they do not have the right clothes.
How long do they meet for?
The weekly section meeting would usually run for 1-1½ hours. EGR meets on Mondays from 18:30-20:00 and EBR meets on Fridays from 19:00-20:30
What do they do? Junior Rallies will pack a lot into their programme to make each night different, challenging and fun. There will be games and activities, badgework where the children learn about new subjects – usually ones that they themselves have suggested. There are hundreds of activities catering for just about every possible interest. At the same time we try to encourage them to explore other new interests. There are loads of variety and little chance of becoming bored!
Juniors seeks to provide a balanced all round programme – which includes spiritual and social input, as well as physical and adventure activities. A key element is to help members to encounter the living Lord Jesus Christ, enter into a personal relationship with Him, and develop strong Christian character. The Rally motto is Ecclesiastes 12:1 “Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth”. Each Rally night there will be a Bible lesson and the children will be encouraged to read and learn God’s Word.
Juniors will also get to go on trips and days out, to places like the zoo, theme parks or a farm. As well as possibly going on a weekend camp or summer holiday that is often the highlight of the year.
What else do I need to know?
Like the other age groups, members have a special uniform that they can wear. As everyone wears the same thing they feel as though they belong. However nobody is excluded because they do not have the right clothes.
How long do they meet for?
The weekly meeting would usually run for 1½ hours. EGR meets on Mondays from 18:30-20:00 and EBR meets on Fridays from 19:00-20:30
What do they do? The aim of any Senior Rally is four-fold, meeting the educational; physical; social; spiritual needs of young people. The programme across the year should include events and activities that provide for all these aims. Building trusting relationships will the leaders is a vital aspect of Senior Rallies and much of the programme will have time and resource devoted to this purpose.
A typical night for the Senior Rallies will include:
Sports, games and physical activities, such as netball, volleyball or football – some groups have access to pool tables and table tennis.
Badgework/Educational activities where members will spend an allocated time to stretch themselves and learn some new skills and hobbies. Visitors often come to explain about their expertise, such as the fire service, police drug awareness unit, wildlife experts or someone with a specialist career.
Freetime – each night is likely to have a short time when Rally members are free to chat, play sports or buy something from a tuck shop.
Bible Talks and Discussions – a key element is to help members to encounter the living Lord Jesus Christ, enter into a personal relationship with Him, and develop strong Christian character. The Rally motto is Ecclesiastes 12:1 “Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth”.
Outings to local sports and entertainment centres, inter-rally sporting competitions and trips to a variety of activities will also be included across the year.
Camps and residential trips provide great opportunities for young people to have an adventure together and experience a variety of activities surrounded by Christian influence. Such events range from single overnight events to week long camps. Recently Senior Rallies have been to the North Coast of Ireland and Republic of Ireland, skiing in Scotland and camping in the Mourne Mountains
What else do I need to know?
Like the other age groups, members have a special uniform that they can wear. As everyone wears the same thing they feel as though they belong. However nobody is excluded because they do not have the right clothes.
How long do they meet for?
The weekly meeting would usually run for 1½ – 2 hours. EGR meets on Mondays from 18:30-20:00 and EBR meets on Fridays from 19:00-20:30
For over 50 years, Rallies have touched the lives of thousands of children and young people.
About Our Work
Rally is founded on the truth of the Bible, and its purpose is to provide framework within which children and young people can come to know the truth for themselves, encounter the living Lord Jesus Christ, enter into a personal relationship with Him, and develop strong Christian character through a balanced programme of physical, educational, social and spiritual activity.
Who can join?
Rallies are open to all children and young people aged from 5 to 18 of any faith and background. Ages for joining will vary from group to group, so please check with your local group.
Our Leaders
The Rallies enjoys an excellent reputation for providing a safe environment for its children and young people to enjoy activities. All our adult leaders follow clear safety guidelines and undertake training appropriate to their role. All of our leaders go through a procedure of registration and as part of this will complete a Criminal Record Disclosure Check.