Anna Gardiner of East Down Athletic Club joined around 365 young athletes from across Northern Ireland to compete in the opening event of the 2015 firmus energy Super Six Series which took place at the Mary Peters Track in Belfast recently. Anna won a gold medal in the Mini Girls 1000 metres.
Due to its resounding popularity, the former Super Five Series was this year upgraded to the firmus energy Super Six, with the addition of one more meet than in previous years. Despite 2014 seeing the highest number of competitors take part in the 24 years the series has been running, the first meet of 2015 got off to a record breaking start with even more young people competing.
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Mini Girls 1000 metresPictured are from left: Maeve Haigney of Beechmount Harriers who came third; Anna Gardiner of East Down Athletic Club who came first and Aoife Dunlop from Beechmount Harriers who came second.[/caption]
Organised by Lagan Valley Athletics Club, Belfast athletes were able to compete in a selection of sporting activities including the hammer, shot putt, long jump, javelin, high jump and the 80/100m sprint.
Now in its 25th year and the largest youth athletics series of its kind in Northern Ireland, the popularity of the long-standing initiative has gone from strength to strength over the years.
Bryan McCorkall from Lagan Valley Athletics Club commented: “I would like to say a big thank you to all those who attended our first event of the series this year and helped to make it such a great success! With six meets in 2015 we will be able to offer athletics to even more young people, whether they want to take part for fun or for serious competition.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank local natural gas supplier, firmus energy, who are supporting the Series for a second year. Thanks to their assistance we once again have our online registration system in place, which is a great tool for us in terms of planning each meet and for speeding up registration on the night, allowing competitors to get on with what they are here to do.”
Angeline Murphy from Firmus Energy commented: “As a company we are always keen to support grassroots initiatives and this event fits the bill perfectly as it is inclusive and open to any young person across NI who wishes to take part. It is a great Series and I know that many competitors from last year are due to be back for this year’s meets and we look forward to seeing how they have progressed as well as welcoming many new faces. The success and great attendance of the first event reinforces the firmus energy Super Six as one of the best athletics initiatives in NI. Its increasing popularity is extremely promising for the sport and we are delighted to be involved.”
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The online registration is now open for the next event in the series which will take place on 30 April. The cost for each event is £3 and can be paid on the night.
Bryan added: “Anyone aged from eight years old to senior participants are able to take part, ranging from first-timers and beginners through to serious competitors. It would be great to see even more young people from Belfast join the series to represent their area!”
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