Sporting a FUNtastic summer!

Launched this week by the Mayor of Coleraine, Alerman Maurice Bradley, the Programme is a sure start to an action-packed fun filled summer.

Running from 2nd July through to 10th August, there is a wider choice than ever before with 75 courses covering 28 different activities. Choices for kids attending this year include: cheerleading, horse riding, rookie lifeguard, cricket, fly-fishing, body-board and surf. Popular favourites tennis, trampolining, hockey and golf will also be included in the Programme. New for this summer are Dodgeball, Pop Dance, Hoop Dance and Sit-on-top Kayaking. Due to popular demand, the swimming courses follow the same format as last year i.e. each course comprises of 10 lessons (levels 1 – 6) in the main pool and each minnows level in the minor pool are in keeping with the centre’s lesson content, offering unprecedented value for money and continuity.

Mayor Alderman Maurice Bradley supported the launch and said: “This is a great opportunity for young children in our Borough to take up some fun sporting activities over the summer for very little cost. At council we support the health and well being of our communities and council’s Summer Recreation Programme is a great way for children to make new friends, get out and about during the holidays. This Programme is just one of many that council provides to support both adults and children having a healthier lifestyle.”

With the European Football Championships just round the corner, Coleraine Football Club have teamed up with Council in putting together two fantastic Soccer Camps for 5 – 7 year olds and for 8 – 15 year olds. The camps offer participants the chance to be coached the skills of the game as well as having guest appearances from Coleraine FC first team players. Once again, fixture and weather permitting all registered participants will get to play at Coleraine FC’s Showgrounds one day throughout each camp. So if any child dreams of playing football at the home of our very own Irish League side then this is the course to be on!!

Roger Downey, Sports Development & Recreation Manager with Coleraine Borough Council who leads up the Programme said, “Council’s Sports Development Team is committed to offering as wide a range of quality activities for young people in the Borough as possible and we believe this year’s Programme will exceed expectations. We have introduced a few more new activities and adapted some of the more traditional courses to appeal to a wider audience! Each course is designed to increase the participant’s skill level but most of all will be lots of FUN!”

The sports courses cost £30.00 per person per course and will take place from 02 July – 10 August. All holders of a current Access To Leisure (ATL) card will receive a 50% reduction in all course / scheme fees. Family Tickets are also available. Enrolment commences at Coleraine Leisure Centre on Saturday 09 June from 8:15am for all sports courses. As always, there is sure to be a demand for these courses, so get there early! All interested parties will only be permitted to enroll one family on this initial day of enrolment.

If sporting activities are not your child’s cup of tea, don’t worry!! In addition, Coleraine Borough Council’s Summer Recreation Programme will also be taking activities out to the communities. Ten summer schemes have been organised throughout the Borough this year. Full information regarding the summer schemes will be available from Coleraine Borough Council’s Leisure Services Department.

Young people with physical disabilities may wish to join the SALT (Sport and Leisure Together) scheme organised by Council in conjunction with the Northern Trust. The scheme is based in Coleraine Leisure Centre and will be running from Monday 9th to Friday 20 July. Activities include arts & crafts, horse riding, swimming, canoeing, indoor games, day trips and much more.

So, with a Summer Recreation Programme bursting with things to do and places to go – put the summer holidays to good use and have some well deserved fun.

Summer Recreation Programme brochures (with full details) and enrolment forms are available now from Coleraine Leisure Centre. For more information please contact, Stephen McCartney, Community Sports Development Officer, Coleraine Borough Council on 7034 7234. Full details are also available on the Council’s website – www.colerainebc.gov.uk