Almost 300 pupils from schools around the province descended on the University of Ulster today for the launch of the university’s newly extended Sports Outreach programme.

The pupils, 170 of them from primary schools, took part in a number of sporting activities which gave them a flavour of the range of activities available as part of the outreach programme. The basketball, exercise to music and athletics sessions were delivered by undergraduate Sports Studies students, while 95 senior pupils from the six partner post-primary schools took part in exercise physiology, sports biomechanics and Sports Institute workshops led by UU Sports Studies and SINI staff.

The Sports Outreach programme is being sponsored by Carberry Holiday Parks which is investing £8,000 over the next 12 months. The Managing Director of the firm, Mr ChrisCarberry, has been a staunch advocate of the programme - and is making a contribution to each partner college to help develop their sports programmes. His company runs holiday parks in Clogherhead, Co Louth and Kerrykeel, Co Donegal and he is further developing links with the University as part of a cross border FUSION project.

Under the programme each of the partner schools - Ulidia Integrated College in Carrickfergus; Hazelwood Integrated College, Shore Road, Belfast; Malone College Finaghy, Oakgrove Integrated College in Derry and Magherafelt High School and St Pius X High School in Magherafelt - hosts a undergraduate from the University’s sports studies course.

These students are given the title of School-Community Sports Outreach Officers and work with local primary schools to introduce pupils to basketball, athletics and health related activity. The students also organise extra-curricula community-based programmes.

Dr Deirdre Brennan of the University’s School of Health Sciences, said: “We piloted this programme successfully at Ulidia Integrated College and since have had a very positive response from other school principals keen to get involved in the programme.

“The programme has evolved from the BBALS initiative which focused only on basketball but we have now introduced athletics and health related activity to broaden the experiences of the pupils in participating schools and our own students who are keen to develop their teaching skills across a range of practical subject areas."

“The programme has been very well received and our students are considered excellent role models for young children. Physical activity is something that we need to engage in for life - this programme helps give young people a positive start to what should be a lifelong commitment to participation.

Dr Damian O’Kane, Director of Access and Educational Partnerships said “the University of Ulster through its outreach activities is committed to making a significant and meaningful contribution to community development across the province. This programme is an excellent example of this commitment with university staff and students, using the medium of sport, to positively impact upon the development of so many young people.”

For further information, please contact:

David Young
Telephone: 028 90366074
Email: David Young