East Cork Primary Schools Athletics Showcase Culmination Event 2023
Cork Sports Partnership’s 4-week East Cork Primary Schools Athletics Programme culminated in Athletics Jamboree at the Stephen Ireland Astroturf in Cobh on March 29th. A total of 300 children from 6 local primary schools took part in the programme and event, which sought to introduce children to the sport of Athletics in a fun and supportive environment.
The schools who took part in this year’s programme included, St Brigids Midleton, Midleton CBS Primary, St Josephs Cobh, Bunscoil Rinn Na Chabhlaigh, Gaelscoil Ui Eigeartaigh & Gaelscoil Mhainistir Na Corann all enjoyed a great day of running, jumping & throwing.
Pic: Brian Lougheed
Over the last number of years, Cork Sports Partnership has worked closely with Primary Schools to redesign and reinvent the programme to suit the school’s needs. 36 schools from all over Cork are currently taking part in the programme.
This year we had a very special guest on the day, as Cobh’s very own World Athletics Champion Sonia O’ Sullivan stopped by to see the children practicing their new skills.
‘It is great to see so much enthusiasm & excitement at this event. Each school who participated in the programme received an equipment pack to help teachers maintain Athletics as part of their PE curriculum going forward, hopefully this will help us to find the next Sonia O’ Sullivan.’. Craig Harrington, Athletics Development Officer Cork Sports Partnership & MTU.
“CSP were instrumental in showcasing the inclusivity and fun that can be had by all in the superb Primary Schools Athletics Blitz they held in Cobh”. Olivia Scully Hahne, Regional Development Officer, Athletics Ireland
On full commitment to the programme, all schools received an Athletics equipment pack, certificate of completion, 4 sessions with an Athletics Tutor & entry into the culmination event in Cobh.
Trevor Cummins, lead Athletics tutor on the programme said “The Primary Schools Athletics Programme is a fantastic opportunity for young boys and girls to further their development by running, jumping and throwing in a fun & supportive environment.
“Competency in these skills will allow children to become confident young adults, more likely to engage in a lifelong pursuit of physical activity. For these reasons, we are very fortunate that Cork Sports Partnership continue to support the programme.”
Pic: Brian Lougheed
‘Cork Sports Partnership is delighted to coordinate this introductory Athletics programme for Cork primary schools. Athletics provides a strong foundation for many fundamental and functional movements children need to develop. This programme looks to support this by providing schools with the capacity to deliver Athletics within the school environment beyond the lifetime of the initial 4-week engagement programme. We look forward to building on this programme with our partners going forward to ensure as many schools as possible in Cork have access to this opportunity. ’, Maurice O’Sullivan, Sport & Marketing Manager, Cork Sports Partnership.
This event is the first of 6 culmination blitzes throughout the spring months. The West Cork & North Cork schools are currently preparing for their respective blitzes on the 4th/5th of May, while the city & special schools will take the new MTU Arena towards the end of May.
Contact:
For more information on any of the above, please contact Athletics Development Officer, Craig Harrington charrington@corksports.ie or visit www.corksports.ie
