News Release
Fanning the Olympic Flame at UU
High-flying teenage sports stars from Newtownabbey put their Christmas celebrations on hold by getting in some intense training at the University of Ulster’s Olympic Youth Academy this week.
The sixteen young people, aged 14-16, spent two days undertaking a mixture of theory and practical sessions covering strength and conditioning, preparation for competition and skill development.They also met a number of Irish sports stars including former Olympic boxer Cathal O Grady.
The athletes represent five sports – rugby, badminton, athletics, sailing and boxing – and have already shown exceptional promise.
This was their second get-together at the University, having taken part in a four day Academy at the Jordanstown campus in August. The idea behind the Academy is to show promising young sports stars the commitment and preparation needed to achieve Olympic status.
Alison Moffitt, Sports Development Officer at UU said ‘The University is delighted to welcome back the Olympic Youth Academy and is looking forward to further enhancing the preparation and performance of these talented young people’.
The Academy is a partnership initiative involving the University of Ulster, Newtownabbey Borough Council, the Sports Institute Northern Ireland, Sports Council Northern Ireland and the Youth Sport Trust.
For further information, please contact:
David Young
Telephone: 028 90366074
Email: David Young
