Local Pupils Excel at the NI Sports Hall Athletics Final

May 14, 2019

Lagan Valley LeisurePlex was the host venue for the Northern Ireland Sports Hall Athletics Final, which saw 16 local Primary 7 pupils represent Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council on a national stage.

The exceptionally talented children came up against some stiff competition having qualified from the regional heats, held also at Lagan Valley LeisurePlex, to reach the final.

Organised by Athletics NI and supported by the council’s Sports Development Unit, the event consisted of individual sprints, an endurance run, standing long jump, speed bounce, medicine ball throw, sprint relays and mixed agility relay races.

Competing against top calibre participants, Team Lisburn Castlereagh did extremely well, picking up one gold medal and an overall 3rd place.  Arnar Bryniarsson from Moira Primary School took gold in the Standing Broad Jump with a leap of 2.24m, while Sophie Kelly-Bradley from St.Ita’s Primary School came 3rd in the overall final with the 3rd best combined score in 3 disciplines - 1 Lap Sprint, Speed Bounce and Standing Broad Jump. This is a fantastic accomplishment for both Sophie and Arnar having progressed from heats involving over 1000 participants to competing against 112 top athletes in the final.

Chief Executive of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council, David Burns said: “Firstly, I would like to congratulate all the talented participants who made it to the final, especially those who represented Team Lisburn Castlereagh. To perform at such a high level takes a tremendous amount of hard work and dedication. You all should be extremely proud of your achievement.

“The council continues to provide activities and initiatives that provide children with the opportunity to get active, express their competitive side and develop confidence in a fun environment. 

“I would like to commend Athletics NI and the council’s Sports Development Unit for organising such a great event, with the emphasis on getting children active very much at the forefront.”

The 16 children on Team Lisburn Castlereagh will have the opportunity of joining the Athletics NI Rising Stars Programme.

Sophie Kelly-Bradley, (3rd overall) and Arnar Bryniarsson, (Gold Standing Broad Jump).