FROM
ODYSSEY TO THE OLYMPICS
The Next Generation of Stars
‘Search
For A Star’ Initiative
Athletics
NI Primary School Sports Hall
Over
the past few years Athletics NI have held a very successful scheme
of indoor athletics for primary schools held initially in the
Belfast Area, with a final at the Odyssey Arena Belfast. This
was in conjunction with the Irish Indoor Athletic Championships.
Due to
the success of the scheme, this year we have expanded it to other
areas outside Belfast to make the final event in the Odyssey a
bigger and better event. This year we are having area competitions
in the following areas; Banbridge, Belfast, Lisburn, North Down
and the North West.
Athletics
Northern Ireland development staff under the guidance of three-times
Olympian Jackie McKernan, will be working with schools in the
run-up to the event to provide young people with introductory
athletics and help the athletes taking part with their fundamental
skills, such as running, jumping, throwing and learning to be
part of a team.
The
‘Search For a Star’ athletics scheme includes ‘taster’
sessions at the various primary schools followed by a regional
heat. From the regional heats, scores will be compared and the
top twenty athletes from each region will receive an invite to
the grand final at the Odyssey Arena on Sunday 8th February.
In
the area competitions a team is made up of 10 P7 pupils (mixed
girls & boys). Each athlete has to take part in 4 events-
60 metre sprint, standing long jump, chest push and speed bounce.