Local Primary Schools Make a Splash!

June 14, 2016

Children from eighteen local primary schools made a splash when they took part in the annual Lisburn & District Primary Schools Swimming Gala, held recently at the Lagan Valley LeisurePlex.

The long established event was held over two sessions and saw over 400 children compete in P4 – P5 and P6 –P7 categories.  Swimming disciplines, included backstroke, breast stroke, butterfly and freestyle as well as the highly competitive relay races. 

During the event Endeavour Awards were presented to pupils Grace Adams from Brownlee Primary School and Faith Casement from Dromara Primary School for their determination and dedication as part of swimming lessons programme throughout the year.  The P4-P5 relay was won by Pond Park Primary School with Harmony Hill Primary School coming first in the P6 free style relay, Downshire Primary School winning the P6 & P7 medley relay and Friends’ Preparatory scooping first place in the P7 free style relay.

The event culminated with the presentation of the eagerly awaited overall school prizes which saw Harmony Hill Primary School taking third place, with Friends’ Preparatory achieving 2nd place, while Downshire Primary School was crowned overall school champions in first place.

Presenting the medals in the afternoon session, Mayor of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council, Councillor Thomas Beckett said, “With growing cases of obesity in children, the swimming gala provides a fantastic forum for children to engage in physical activity and take the first steps to incorporating regular exercise into their lives.

“Swimming is a life skill so it is important to encourage children to learn to swim, improve their technique and build their confidence in the water.  While the swimming gala encourages children to strive for a medal, the overall message is about participation and cheering on every pupil until they cross the finishing line.

“I would like to thank all the schools for supporting the event, the students at the South Eastern Regional College for volunteering on the lanes and the staff and swimming clubs at Lagan Valley LeisurePlex for organising such a successful event.”