Press Release

Waterside Community Sport Fun Week

Friday 11 July

The Mayor of Derry Councillor Gerard Diver, attended the certificate presentation today at the Old Clondermott School at Irish Street, Waterside where a Multi Sport Fun week organised by Betty Doherty of Waterside Community Sport took place.

Over 70 children enjoyed physical activities such as Judo, Football, Tag Rugby & Street Games. In addition workshops concerning dental health, diet & nutrition & Community Relations were on offer to inform the young people about a healthier lifestyle.

Mayor Councillor Gerard Diver was full of praise for all the children who had taken part. Speaking about the importance of sport for children he said,

“It’s so important for children to participate in events such as this, it keeps them healthy as well as building their confidence and social skills. The variety of sports on offer and the additional workshops regarding health, diet and nutrition have all made this an incredible week for these children and I would like congratulate the organisers for their great vision and hard work in making this such a wonderful sporting and cross-community success.”

Grassroots Judo & Football Development Officers at Derry City Council were delighted with the amount of children who attended the event from a variety of communities in the Waterside and throughout the city area. Jim Toland, Judo Grassroots Development Officer explained,

“On the week leading up to the 12th July celebrations it was important to bring young people together from differing communities to create an understanding of everyone in our society. What better way to do this than through sport.”

Community Relations sessions were facilitated by Sue Divin & Carol Stewart of Derry City Council and Colleen McAuley of the Irish Football Association. There were also taster sessions in Tag Rugby by Jonathan Quigley (Rugby Development Officer) and Olympic Wrestling by top coach Barry Pollin. Football coaches were provided by the Irish Football Association and volunteer youth workers & coaches from the community sector were also in attendance.

Kevin Doherty (IFA Football Development Officer) said, “it is very important for all our young athletes to sample a variety of sports at the grassroots level and this fun week gave them that opportunity. The transferable skills learned will be of benefit to all our young players as they develop further”.

The Waterside Community Sports Officer, Betty Doherty said, “I would like to thank all the coaches/volunteers who helped make the event enjoyable for all the children who attended. The children were great to work with and I would hope this could become an annual event as it helped to strengthen the cross community links. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the sponsors of the programme who provided gifts throughout”.

At the presentation event a surprise visitor was the new Minister for Culture, Arts & Leisure, Gregory Campbell who helped the Mayor with certificate presentations.

Derry City Council are hosting other sport specific fun weeks throughout the summer. Full details can be obtained by clicking on the website www.derrycity.gov.uk or contacting the Sports Development Team on 028 71 361 566. Further information by contacting Jim Toland (Judo) on jim.toland@derrycity.gov.uk or Kevin Doherty (Football) on kevin.doherty@derrycity.gov.uk

Ends

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