Viking Barbell Club opens its doors at Valley Leisure Centre

The sport of powerlifting has been growing in popularity over the last two years.
By The Newsroom
Published 24th Aug 2013, 00:05 BST
Viking Barbells Brian Coombes, Kyla Mulholland and Alison Drysdale with Ursula Fay (NBC Culture and Leisure manager), mayor Fraser Agnew, councillor Victor Robinson and Stephen Bartley (Valley Leisure Centre manager). INNT 34-017-FPViking Barbells Brian Coombes, Kyla Mulholland and Alison Drysdale with Ursula Fay (NBC Culture and Leisure manager), mayor Fraser Agnew, councillor Victor Robinson and Stephen Bartley (Valley Leisure Centre manager). INNT 34-017-FP
Viking Barbells Brian Coombes, Kyla Mulholland and Alison Drysdale with Ursula Fay (NBC Culture and Leisure manager), mayor Fraser Agnew, councillor Victor Robinson and Stephen Bartley (Valley Leisure Centre manager). INNT 34-017-FP

Its growth has encouraged the sport’s governing body, the Northern Ireland Powerlifting Federation (NIPF) to set up Northern Ireland’s first Centre of Powerlifting Excellence, the Viking Barbell Club, which will have a permanent home in the Valley Leisure Centre and will house the latest in competition standard Powerlifting equipment.

The club is set to hold classes and seminars on improving strength and lifting techniques tailored to the needs of individuals, sports clubs, schools and sporting bodies as well as experienced lifters aiming to improve their lifts.

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The club says it’s no longer a male dominated sport with a quarter of its membership is made up of female lifters.

The NIPF Powerlifting Team will use the facility for squad and pre-competition sessions and will be holding referee training courses throughout the year.

The facility will also be used to host future competitions and will allow the NIPF to bid to host National and International Competitions.

The 4 Nations Powerlifting Championship is on home soil this year, at Theatre at The Mill on September 28.

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Anyone can join Viking Barbell: firstly register as a member of the NIPF which is a one-off fee of £30, then it only costs £6.50 per month by direct debit or a single yearly fee of £75 a year.

Entrance will be via a photographic membership card issued when you join up.

The NIPF host four annual competitions, with many local lifters now competing at national and international standards.

The club can be used at anytime between Monday to Friday (6:30 am to 10 pm) and weekends (9 am - 6 pm).

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Anyone interested in joining or just finding out more should contact Brian Coombes at [email protected]

Viking Barbell is having an Open Day on Saturday, August 24 from 10 amd to 1 pm for anyone who might be interested in getting a lot stronger.

Related topics:Northern Ireland