from Athletic Northern Ireland website Athletics Northern is starting their Sportshall season this month. Sportshall for secondary schools has an emphasis on team competition whilst also encouraging athletes to develop individually.
It focuses on key skills coupled with the inclusion of individual races and events such as the shot putt which reinforces the relevance of Sportshall for those athletes preparing for the outdoor season.
Sportshall is exciting, fast and energetic to watch as well as take part in. It is a fun safe indoor based multi-skills activity. Sportshall is a modified version of track and field athletics for the young aspiring athlete. Also it’s a great way to introduce athletics in a fun team-based format for young people who haven’t had the opportunity to try athletics before.
Top Northern Irish & Irish Sprint star Amy Foster recalls how taking part in Sportshall athletics encouraged her to take up athletics and join a local club. Amy will be getting involved in an officiating capacity with some of the Sportshall events this year.
This year Athletics Northern Ireland is trying to branch out the Sportshall experience to new areas including Banbridge, Lisburn and Co. Antrim – UUJ area. Other areas involved in the Sportshall experience include:
Area Organisers
North Down Area Jeremy Harper
North West Area Elaine McCaffrey
Greater Belfast Heather Martin
Magherafelt Area Barrie Holmes
Enniskillen Area Francis Shaw
The winning teams from these areas go to West or East of Ulster Final from this they can then progress to the Ulster Final where the winning team get to compete in the UK Final in Birmingham.
Team Information & Events
U 13 – each team should consist of a minimum of five girls and five boys, with a maximum of eight girls and eight boys being permitted. All athletes are to be selected from school years 8-9 (under 13 before 1st September 2008), they may compete in a maximum of three track and two field events, drawn from the list below.
U15 – each team should consist of a minimum of six girls & six boys, with a maximum of eight girls and eight boys.
All athletes are to be selected from school years 10-11 (under 15 before 1st September 2008). Six competitors must compete in one event per section, they may also run in a paarlauf or relay but not both. The 7th member may compete in a paarlauf or relay and one non-scoring field event.
On the track On the field
2 Lap Race Linear Shot
4 Lap Race Speed Bounce
8 Lap Paarlauf Standing Long Jumps
Each requiring two girls and two boys
Standing Triple Jump
6 Lap Race – requiring one girl and one boy Vertical Jump
Obstacle Relay or 4 x 1 Lap Relay
Each requiring two girls and two boys
4 x 2 Lap Relay
The Sportshall handbook incorporates details of all the events, including a full explanation of each event together with some teaching points.
Visit www.sportshall.org for further details
For Sportshall area dates check out the Development Event Calendar.
If any school would like to get involved please contact one of the regional development officers.
