Council launches sports courses

Council’s Sport Development and RecreationTeam has lined up a full programme of football and multi-sports coaching courses, which will help kids to burn off all those Easter eggs and keep fit!

This year’s programme will take place from Wednesday 3rd to Friday 5th April and will include a FREE transport collection schedule supporting kids to attend. The multi-sports courses are for boys and girls aged seven to fourteen years-old, providing a choice of three sports per day and four on a Friday. These include athletics, rugby, Gaelic football, hockey and basketball among many more.

Roger Downey, Sports Development and Recreation Manager at Coleraine Borough Council, has developed this exciting programme.

Roger said: “This football course is aimed at four to fourteen-year-olds and fans will be pleased to hear that the course is run in association with Coleraine Football Club. It takes place from 10.30am – 12noon (for four to seven-year-olds) and 2pm – 4pm (for eight to fourteen year-olds). These football courses will be hosted at Rugby Avenue, with the possibility of one day hosted at Coleraine Football Club’s Showgrounds (weather and fixture permitting) on either the Thursday or Friday.

“This multi-sport programme is extremely popular each year as it gives young people the opportunity to try a new sport. It also helps to keep the concept of sport challenging, fresh and enjoyable. The programme not only offers a great chance for children to make new friends and have lots of fun but also to improve their physical skills and techniques.

“All our coaching sessions are led by qualified and vetted coaches with all the necessary equipment provided however children will need to bring suitable clothing and footwear. In particular a rainproof jacket and hat are important for outdoor activities and a towel with a change of clothes.”

The venues for the multi-sports courses are as follows: sports hall athletics, badminton and Olympic Team Handball (new sport introduced this year) are in Coleraine Leisure Centre; hockey, baseball, cricket and Gaelic football are at Rugby Avenue Playing Fields, Coleraine; tennis is at Anderson Park, Coleraine; rugby is at Coleraine Rugby Club and basketball is at St Joseph’s High School, Coleraine.

A free transport schedule is available which includes pick up/return points in Articlave, Aghadowey, Kilrea, Garvagh, Castlerock, Portrush and Portstewart; this will enable young people from rural areas of the Borough to participate. Pick up points and times are detailed in the application form. The cost is £17 per participant for the three days. Access to Leisure (ATL) card holders will receive a fifty percent reduction on course fees. For non ATL card holders a Special Family Ticket is available priced at £43.20 for three or more participating children per course from the same immediate family.

Enrolment commences on Thursday March 7th at 10.00am through Coleraine Leisure Centre. Application forms are now available from Coleraine Leisure Centre or from Leisure Services at Coleraine Borough Council. For further information or queries please contact Roger Downey, Sports Development and Recreation Manager on 028 7034 7234, or log onto Council’s website www.colerainebc.gov.uk.