For 5 weeks boys and girls from two Holywood primary schools – St Patrick’s PS and Glencraig Integrated PS, and boys from Campbell College prep department have been meeting at Campbell College on Thursday afternoons for joint hockey coaching.
These sessions were both organised and delivered by coaches from Ulster Hockey Laura Brown and Jack Kyle, as well as Campbell College and NICS coaches Tom Costello and Kent Irwin.
The project was initiated by teacher Aimee Kennedy at St Patrick’s who wanted to see her pupils expand on their sporting experience and try sports which are new to most of them.
After initially contacting Ulster Hockey’s Inclusion & Diversity Officer Eamonn McFerran this project took off thanks to the planning and determination of the St Patrick’s teacher.
Speaking on the project, Kennedy said:
‘Our pupils have enjoyed this so much, both learning new skills and making new friends from the other schools.
As a feeder primary school into Campbell College it has been wonderful for the children to gain knowledge of hockey which is a sport transitioning into their secondary years.’
John Mawhinney, the principal of Glencraig IPS, attended the coaching sessions and when speaking about the program said;
‘Sport is such an important activity for all ages both for physical and mental well being, as well as meeting pupils from other schools in the area.’
Meanwhile, Damian Styles, Head of Hockey and Primary School Liaison at Campbell College told Ulster Hockey;
‘We had no hesitation in welcoming other schools to our pitches for this joint coaching project. It is a great idea and more of this is needed in other areas. It helps showcase the excellent facilities we have here at Campbell College.’
Ulster Hockey Inclusion & Diversity Officer Eamonn McFerran also added;
” This project was a huge success with approximately 50 pupils each week.
Young people have tried and enjoyed a sport which is new to them. My hope is for local hockey clubs to welcome these new hockey players into their clubs and be part of the future of a successful sport.
We hope to repeat this success in other areas and there are plans for projects in Lurgan and Derry commencing in September or October this year. This last 12 months has seen the delivery of similar projects in Larne, Carrickfergus, Crumlin, and Ballynahinch.”
