Over 500 families came through the gates of the National Sports Campus yesterday for Ireland’s first ever Family SportFest.
People of all ages and athletic abilities got the unique opportunity to trial a range of over 20 sports that are available to the public all year round, as the country’s National Governing Bodies came together under one roof for the first time to promote their sports.
There were sports taster sessions and Skill challenge zones where, among other things, they sprinted the Laser run, raised their fencing foils, practiced their diving technique, batted for sixes in cricket and went for gold on the archery boards.
To mark the occasion, some of Ireland’s most coveted sporting silverware; The Sam Maguire, Liam McCarthy, FAI Cup, Brendan Martin, SSE Airtricity League Trophy, and Guinness PRO12 cups were brought together for the first time in a special Trophy Zone.
The crowds also had the chance to rub shoulders with some famous faces in Irish sport including Dublin All-Ireland winning footballer Paul Mannion, Galway All Ireland winner Conor Whelan, Olympian and former European Cross Country Champion Catherina McKiernan, Ladies Football All Ireland winner Rebecca McDonnell, Olympic Boxing Gold Medalist Michael Carruth, Irish Rugby’s Hannah Tyrrell, Cork’s Camogie All-Ireland winning captain Anna Geary, Shelbourne’s Pearl Slattery and European bronze medallist over 1,500m, Ciara Mageean.
The Family SportFest was arranged by the Sport Ireland National Sports Campus as part of the #BeActive European Week of Sport.
It was the first of its kind in Ireland and it is hoped that it will become an annual event allowing the Irish public to enjoy the facilities and encourage greater participation in the wide range of sports on offer at the Home of Irish Sport.
“The Family SportFest will give children and adults of all ages and abilities a chance to sample sports they may never have dreamt of trying, or never had the chance to,” said John Treacy, CEO of Sport Ireland.
“They got the chance to meet some of Ireland’s top sports stars and lift some famous trophies. Hopefully Family SportFest will not only help to inspire the next generation of Irish stars but to also foster a lifelong love of sport and show them they are always welcome here at the Sport Ireland National Sports Campus, the Home of Irish Sport.
“Today gave us the chance to showcase our world-class facilities to the general public, and highlight the vast range of classes and programmes that are available here all year round, added Michael Murray. Chief Operations Officer at the Campus.
“The turnout today was fantastic and to see so many families enjoying a range of sports is what this campus is all about. While these facilities are home to some of Ireland’s top sports and sports stars, they are also for the public and after today we hope to see families coming back to enjoy everything the Sport Ireland National Sports Campus has to offer.”
“There should be one of these events in every county in the country,” said Anna Geary.” It’s such a great day and gives kids a chance to sample sports that they may never have had the chance to try before and who knows, they could be a natural at it.”
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Image Credits Inpho Dan Sheridan
