Lord Mayor of Belfast Councillor Christina Black with Better Summer Scheme participant Caolan Burke.
Lord Mayor of Belfast Councillor Christina Black has joined more than 200 young children from across Belfast to take part in the annual Belfast Summer Sports Day at Olympia Leisure Centre.
Over 1,500 children have been attending the city’s Better Summer Schemes at twelve leisure centres run by social enterprise GLL. The annual sports day celebrates the end of this year’s schemes.
The children who participated tried their hand at more than eight different sports activities including hockey, fencing, athletics, and netball, making new friends from across the community. Inspired by Northern Ireland’s recent success in the Commonwealth games, a boxing station was also on offer.
The young budding sports stars were also joined by some of the city’s most promising young athletes who are supported by the GLL Sport Foundation as part of the social enterprise’s commitment to nurturing local sports talent.
Better Summer Scheme participants Kai, Aidan, Ruby, Rioghanch and James.
Speaking at the Summer Sports Day today, Lord Mayor of Belfast Councillor Christina Black said:
“It is absolutely fantastic to see so many of our young people enjoying different sporting activities at today’s Better sports day along with some of our national sporting partners. Taking part in sport is not only a great way of fulfilling an active and healthy lifestyle, it is also a brilliant way for young people to come together, meet new people and build friendships.”
“I am delighted to see the next generation using these fantastic Belfast City Council facilities operated by our partner GLL who continue to deliver first class leisure provision for everyone across the city.”
Jonathan Michael, GLL Community Sport Engagement Manager, said:
“After two long years without a Summer Scheme, we have been delighted to welcome children back into centres and provide an action-packed programme for them. We are so pleased to be able to host events like today with the aim of encouraging as many children as possible to get active, make new friends and experience a variety of different sports. We will continue to expand our community sport offering throughout the year as we transform leisure in Belfast for all.”
For more information on the Better Summer Scheme, visit: https://www.better.org.uk/belfast-holiday-scheme