A SURE-sponsored sports initiative has given 530 schoolchildren the chance to try their hand at hockey.
Cronk-y-Berry Primary took the honours in the hockey competition that forms part of the Sure Sports Primary Schools Programme.
The programme is led by the Department of Education and Children’s Sports Development Unit, in partnership with sports’ governing bodies, and is generously supported by the telecoms firm. Each academic year, schools are offered the opportunity to participate in inter-school contests in six sports.
This term, Year 3 and 4 pupils trained in hockey in preparation for regional festivals organised in partnership with the Manx Hockey Association.
For many of the children taking part, it was their first opportunity to play the sport.
Primary schools were eligible to enter provided they’d run after-school hockey sessions for at least six weeks. Thirty-two schools took part in festivals, held in the north, south, east and west of the Island. Some schools entered more than one team, which resulted in an impressive 53 teams participating.
The top two teams of each regional event contested the national final, held at the NSC on Tuesday.
Teams from Ballacottier, The Buchan, Cronk-y-Berry, Dhoon, Kewaigue, Laxey, St John’s (two teams), St Thomas’s CofE and Scoill Vallajeelt all clinched final places. After a fantastic afternoon’s play, Cronk-y-Berry took the honours, narrowly beating Kewaigue in the final.
At each of the regional festivals, teams were also drawn from a hat to be invited to take part in a fun festival, also held on Tuesday. In this, teams got the chance to play against schools from other regions, with the focus on participation and having fun. Two teams each from Victoria Road, Willaston and Scoill-yn-Jubilee, plus teams from Jurby, Foxdale and Braddan, took part.
Gianni Epifani, Senior Sports Development Officer, said:
‘The Primary Schools’ Festivals are a key tool used by the Sports Development Unit to introduce children from a young age into a variety of sports throughout the year.’
All participants were awarded certificates and given information regarding local junior hockey club training sessions should they wish to continue playing.
‘It was fantastic to see 530 pupils being given the opportunity to try out hockey in their own school environment and this is a great stepping stone for them into community clubs,’ Gianni said.
He added:
‘Sincere thanks must go to the umpires provided by the Manx Hockey Association, who volunteered their time to support the events, and to Sure for its continued support of the programme.’
To find out more about the programme or junior hockey, contact the Sports Development Unit on 01624 688592 or email SDUenquiries@gov.im
