Details of the 2019 Donegal Sportshall Athletics Programme have been announced, with the finals for medium to large schools (more than 100 pupils) fixed for the Aura Leisure Centre in Letterkenny on Friday, March 22nd.
The regional events will take place in Letterkenny, Stranorlar, Donegal Town and Carndonagh.
The programme for small schools (less than 100 pupils) will be rolled out in October and November.
Sportshall athletics has grown steadily in popularity in recent years. Looking ahead to next month’s finals, Donegal Sports Partnership Co-Ordinator, Myles Sweeney, said interest throughout the county is as big as ever.
“The Donegal Sportshall Athletics Programme has become extremely popular with primary schools as it compliments primary PE,” he commented.
The programme is run in conjunction with the Donegal Athletics Board, local athletics clubs, Athletics Ireland and Donegal Sports Partnership.
“Every year, around 2,000 primary school children from Donegal participate in the fun programme which focuses on providing children with a platform to develop their athletic ability.
Agility, balance and co-ordination are the skills the children can develop through participation.
“Running, jumping and throwing are the three components of the sportshall programme, with the emphasis very much on making it fun and enjoyable for the boys and girls taking part. It also serves to promote the team aspect of sport,” Myles added.
This year a greater input into the Donegal Sportshall Athletics Programme will be provided by Athletics Ireland and the ten athletics clubs in the county.
