Competitors take the first bend in the girls 800m final
Over 350 children from across 19 primary schools in the Derry City Council area today took part in an outdoor athletics event aimed at getting children and young people active and involved in sports.
Ally Fitzpatrick, St. Therese’s PS, competing in the girls long jump.
Derry City Council’s Schools and Participation progamme, in partnership with Sports NI Active Communities and Asda, facilitated the event held at Templemore Sports Complex and which featured a new competitive based programme of track, field and relay activities.
Mayor of Derry, Cllr Martin Reilly, who was on hand to present medals to individuals and team winners in each category, said the event was a “huge success.”
He added: “Based on the energy, commitment and competitiveness of performances here today, I can say that we should have some emerging athletic stars emerging from the city in the future.”
Continuing Mayor Reilly said: “I want to thank leisure and sports staff and teachers from each of the schools, on the collaborative approach which has led to the huge success of this event today, and in doing so we should see the return of the athletics event next year and as a regular annual event in our sporting calendar.“
Mayor Cllr Martin Reilly with Thornhill College and St Cecilia’s College pupils, currently participating in the Young Leaders Award, who assisted the delivery of the event. Included, from left, are Rosie O’Brien Derry City Council active communities coach, Louise Allen, Derry City Council schools and participation officer, Darrell Law, Asda Community Life Champion and Deirdre Grant, Derry City Council active communities coach.
