Athletics Ireland is extending it’s Fit4Youth programme nationwide after the success of pilot programmes since 2013. Sponsored by Forest Feast the programme is aimed at youths aged 12-19 who would like to get fit in a fun, non-competitive environment.
It is perfectly pitched to fill a gap which can quickly become evident within that age group as young people move out of or drift away from team environments that were fostered by parents, schools and clubs.
The move to secondary school and a misguided belief that time spent on sport could better be spent studying as big exams draw closer mean that finding the time for the more structured commitment to teams becomes more challenging.
The programme for 2016 was launched at Morton Stadium on Tuesday evening.
There was a Question and Answer session with international middle distance athlete John Travers followed by a warm-up, drills, a one mile run on the track and a cool down. Every participant went away with a t-shirt, a goody bag and a desire to keep running, even if it might sometimes be a little more pleasant in terms of the weather.
“It was a good evening to encourage people to get up off their feet and exercise and know it doesn’t have to be competitive whether it’s a walk or a jog,” said Travers who is a member of Donore Harriers Athletics Club.
“Athletics can be a good way to get fit while also pursuing other activities,” continued the Dubliner. “It was great to talk to the younger generation in Dunboyne and Lusk and hopefully give them a lifelong love of just getting out running and enjoying it.
“Asides from competition running for me is a stress reliever and an outlet to get out in the fresh air and be sociable. It’s a great way of meeting new people home and abroad.”
“We all really enjoyed the evening,” added Kay Gilmartin, one of the leaders of the Dunboyne Fit4Youth group.
“It was great for our members to run in the Stadium.”
“As a means of keeping teenagers involved in Athletics, we hope that Fit4Youth will continue to be successful in Dunboyne, and that the number of Fit4Youth groups will increase throughout the country.
The aim of the programme is to build up to 5K while fostering a positive attitude to health and fitness that will become a life skill.
It looks like a real winner to us and we will be talking to Forest Feast in the coming weeks about why the partnership with athletics is proving a winner for them.
