News
WATERSIDE COMMUNITY SPORT FUN WEEK
THE Deputy Mayor of Derry, Alderman Maurice Deveney, was in attendance on Friday 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 and Street Games. In addition workshops concerning dental health, diet and nutrition and Community Relations were on offer to inform the young people about a healthier lifestyle.
An IFA Nutty Krust Summer Soccer School was held as part of the week and gave budding young footballers an opportunity to learn and develop their skills.
Grassroots Judo and 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 wider Londonderry area. Jim Toland, Judo Grassroots Development Officer explained: ‘On the week leading up to the Twelfth of 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 and Carol Stewart of Derry City Council and the IFA’s Community Relations Officer, Coleen Macauley. 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 and coaches from the community sector were also in attendance.
Kevin Doherty, IFA Grassroots Development Officer, added: “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 continue their development.”
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 can 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.”
Other notable politicians were in attendance to see for themselves how children from all sides of the community can be united through sport. They included Lynn Fleming, Head of Development Committee and the new Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure, Gregory Campbell MP MLA who both assisted with the presentation of certificates.
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. For further information on Judo contact Jim Toland: jim.toland@derrycity.gov.uk and for details on football programmes contact Kevin Doherty: kevin.doherty@derrycity.gov.uk
