10 July 2008

Primary School Children Compete in Adventure and Fitness Competition

School children from Armagh and Dungannon have been competing in an Adventure Trail and Fitness Challenge at Loughgall Country Park and Golf Course, organised by the Armagh and Dungannon Health Action Zone.

This is the third year of the competition for the perpetual shield.

There are two fitness trails at the Country Park to suit all ages and fitness levels.  Both are made up of a range of timber fitness apparatus from the fun ‘Chain Walk’ and ‘Swinging Steps’ to the more  challenging ‘Pole Climb’ and ‘Ladder Walk’.

12 Primary Schools from the area took part in the competition which aims to promote physical activity in this age group. Participating teams completed laps of the trails against the clock. Armagh City and District Council provided fruit bags and bottles of water for all the participants and their 122 supporters and the Health Action Zone distributed reusable water bottles. The Southern Health and Social Care Trust’s Health Promotion staff gave the children advice on care in the sun and no-smoking including a carbon monoxide quiz.

The Cope Primary School, Loughgall, was the winner for the third year running, with Hamiltonsbawn Primary School coming second and St John’s Primary School, Moy, in third place, both receiving runners up medals.

James Frizzell, Cope Primary School, picked up the award for fastest boy, and Kathyrn Glass, Hamiltonsbawn Primary School, received the plaque for fastest girl.

Lucille Lennon from the Armagh and Dungannon Health Action Zone said: “Regular physical activity gives you more energy, reduces stress, helps weight management and can help prevent disease. Through events like this we are trying to encourage young people to develop good exercise habits at an early age.  We were delighted with the interest in the competition over the past three years and hope that its success will continue next year.  

“The Trails are a fun and cheap way for everyone to increase their physical activity so we hope that the children who participated in the challenge return again with their friends and families.”

The Adventure and Trim Trails were installed by Armagh and Dungannon Health Action Zone and Armagh City and District Council with funding from the Big Lottery.

To find out more about the Trails contact Loughgall County Park
Tel: 028 3889 2900.