Local Primary School Children Swing Into Action

One hundred children from 13 primary schools have enjoyed a day out from the classroom to take part in a unique golfing day held at Castlereagh Hills Golf Course on Friday 1st June.

Sponsored by Domino’s Pizza, Saintfield Road, the aim of the golf day was to introduce children to golf through a series of fun workshops which promoted exercise, healthy eating and the basics of golf.

The event commenced with all 100 children participating in a range of health and sports related workshops to promote the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle. There was also an educational workshop from Cancer Focus NI as well as a massive fitness class on the 18th fairway and an archery challenge for the children to enjoy.

PGA Golf Professional, Mr Steve Richie led a golf swing and putting workshop in tandem with Michael McNulty from Confederation of Golf Ireland providing a fun introduction to the world of golf. The day then culminated in the afternoon with a schools’ golfing competition, where the children put their newly developed skills to the test to compete in the ‘Castlereagh Hills Challenge Cup’.

Speaking at the event, the Mayor of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council, Councillor Tim Morrow said, “The golf day is a fantastic opportunity to bring local school children together to experience a new sport while learning more about nutrition and healthy eating. It has been wonderful to see the children display such strong friendships and positive team spirit on the course and I hope the event will encourage other children and schools to enter the event next year.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank local businesses, Domino’s Pizza, Hillmount Nursery, Northern Snacks, Hunky Dorys, Britvic, Rodgers Meats, Belfast Health & Social Care Trust, Cancer Focus NI, Decathlon, the Council’s Every Body Active 2020 coaches and Sinnamon Bistro for kindly supporting this great initiative.”

Presenting the prizes at the event, the Vice Chair of the Council’s Leisure & Community Development Committee, Councillor Rhoda Walker said, “With growing cases of obesity amongst children, the golf day at Castlereagh Hills Golf Course provides a fantastic forum for young people to enjoy a new sport while learning more about fitness and healthy eating. The children have enjoyed taking part in a number of fun workshops on and off the course, which will hopefully inspire many to take up a new sport or engage in other forms of physical activity.

“I would like to thank all the Golf Club members that volunteered to assist with the event and to the schools for taking part in the competition. I hope to see many of the children here today back on the golf course to practice their new skills.”

The best boy award was won by Ciaran Mallon while the best girl was won by Eloise Morris both from St Ita’s Primary School. The eagerly awaited school team award was won by Brooklands Primary School with St Ita’s Primary School finishing in 2nd place and Leadhill Primary School in 3rd.

Event sponsor, Domino’s Pizza, Saintfield Road were delighted to support the event. Andrew Bruce, Area Manager (NI) commented, “We are extremely delighted to sponsor such a great event. It is important that we all take the necessary steps to encourage young people to get active and maintain a balanced lifestyle. I have enjoyed meeting the children and teachers today and watching the action on the course.”