Sligo Parks Tennis
The Parks Tennis Ireland initiative aims to provide Irish Nationwide tennis coaching programmes to boys and girls aged between 6-17 years. The programmes incorporate both beginners and improvers through the spring and summer months, in areas like local parks, community centres/pitches and schools where tennis court facilities exist. The programme offers tennis coaching at a low cost to children from all social backgrounds, including those from disadvantaged areas both rural and urban who may not have been exposed to the game.
In Sligo, Parks Tennis has been running summer programmes since 2001 and the initiative is co-ordinated locally through the Youth Sport West Development Officer based at Sligo Sport & Recreation Partnership. The programme is delivered annually at five sites throughout County Sligo including Grange, Calry, Geevagh, Strandhill and Carraroe. The sessions are run by tennis coaches who ensure quality programmes are delivered with all the participants receiving ample opportunity to develop their tennis skills. Nationally the initiative offers an opportunity to identify, nurture and develop talented performers, who may otherwise have remained undiscovered. More importantly however the programme provides a great number of children of all ages, abilities and backgrounds with a positive and worthwhile introduction to tennis and hopefully goes some way to setting them on the pathway to lifelong involvement in sport and exercise.
Anyone wishing to find out more about Sligo Parks Tennis can do so by contacting us at info@sligosportandrecreation.ie or 07191 61511
Annual Super Valu Primary Schools Athletics Fest
Sligo Sport and Recreation Partnership hosts an annual Primary Schools Athletics Fest at the IT Sligo Athletics Arena open to primary schools all over the county. The Fest has taken place annually since 2004 and is a hugely popular event amongst school children with almost 1,000 participants involved last year. The event is kindly sponsored by Super Valu . County Sligo Athletics Association, Sligo Sport and Recreation Partnership and Youth Sport West jointly organise the event and are on hand on the day to oversee the running of an efficiently organised and enjoyable event.
Everyone is a winner on the day, in particular the many young athletes who enjoy the experience of running on the IT track for the first time. All participants receive a specially designed coloured t-shirt, which is made possible through generous sponsorship from Super Valu. Fun, enjoyment and participation is to the forefront throughout the event and certificates of participation are presented to all athletes in recognition of their sporting efforts.
The hosting of the event involved a partnership effort between AAI Sligo Athletics Board, Sligo Sport and Recreation Partnership, Youth Sport West and primary schools. The great organisational ability and technical expertise of the County Sligo Athletics Association officials is in evidence on the day and ensures that the entire event runs very smoothly.
Feedback from the participating schools has been very positive over the years and it is hoped that the many young participants are encouraged to become regular participants in athletics by joining one of the clubs around the county, which include Sligo AC, Calry AC, North Sligo AC, Corran AC, Tireragh AC and South Sligo AC.
The event has now become a regular sporting occasion on the primary schools event calendar!
For more information please contact us at info@sligosportandrecreation.ie or 07191 61511
