31/05/2019

Young Belfast Athletes Go For Gold

A team of budding athletes from primary schools across Belfast put their best foot forward yesterday at the annual Belfast Parks Primary Schools Athletic Shield and Cup competition.

Hosted by Belfast City Council at the Mary Peters Track, the pupils were undeterred by rain and took part in the long jump, 60 metre sprint, 400m, javelin and 400m relay final.

Downey House won the team shield for best overall scores, while Anna Hogg from Fullerton and Alexander Megarity from Downey won the individual girl and boy cups.

The competition followed coaching sessions delivered by Athletics Northern Ireland to 312 pupils from 26 primary schools.

After presenting the winning pupils and schools with their trophies and medals, Chairman of Belfast City Council's People and Communities Committee Councillor Michael Collins said: "I've been so impressed with the sporting talent displayed at today's awards. It's a credit to our primary schools to see how they encourage their pupils to participate and get active.

"Enabling active, healthy and empowered citizens is a central aim of our community plan, The Belfast Agenda. So events like today's are really important because they give young people an opportunity to compete on a professional track, display the skills they've been working so hard to develop - and of course meet new friends from other parts of the city. I hope that today's experience will encourage them to keep training and going for gold!"



(JG/CM)

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