Last week, Lifford Athletic Club played host to its first multi sport Summer Camp held between the 26^th and 30^th July.  The five day programme proved an outstanding success with fifty children from the Lifford, Raphoe, and Castlefinn areas taking part.  The programme was delivered in ideal weather conditions by a selection of top coaches from several different sports governing bodies.  In total, the children were treated to nine different sports, as well as many other fun based games and activities.

Athletics was a core component of the five day programme, with children introduced to a variety of athletic disciplines including the javelin, ball throw, discus, high jump, long jump, and hurdles by club coaches Sharon Foley and Brendan O’Donnell.  As well as the throws and jumps, the children ranging in ages from six to thirteen also took part in many running based games and relays, as well as some of the Sportshall disciplines including speed bounce, and standing long and triple jumps. 

The multi sport element to the camp afforded children the opportunity to try out many different sports, some of which they had never have played before.  Sports introduced throughout the week included volleyball, rugby, Gaelic football, basketball, soccer, rounders, hockey and hurling.  Qualified coaches from the Donegal GAA County Board, Volleyball Ireland, IRFU, Finn Harps FC, Raphoe Hockey Club, Deele Harps FC, and Basketball Ireland delivered an exciting and fun based introduction to the skills of the various games, with all course participants playing an active and enthusiastic part.

At the conclusion of the camp, Lifford Athletic Club’s Brendan O’Donnell praised the fifty children for their enthusiasm, discipline, and abilities, and most of all, their willingness to listen, to watch, and to try out the different skills being taught.  He also explained how the fundamentals of athletics, running, jumping and throwing were also fundamental to most other sports including those offered at the camp.  O’Donnell also thanked the parents for encouraging their children to take part in the camp.  Thanks were also given to club athletes Megan Colhoun, Daire O’Mahony, Ciaran McBrearty and Peter McGlynn as well as Peter and Annette McGarrigle for their help over the course of the programme.  Mr. O’Donnell also paid tribute to the excellent work done by the various sports tutors over the five days.  Finally, Brendan paid tribute to the support of the Donegal Local Development Company who have part financed a number of club initiatives, primarily the Summer Camp held this year.  “Without the support of DLDC, this camp would never have taken off.  However, with their support, fifty children have had a fun filled week of activities, new sports, and the opportunity to meet new friends”.  The support from DLDC allowed the club to finance the purchase of equipment which can be utilised in the future for other such camps.  On behalf of DLDC, Stephen Barrett spoke of the importance of the work done by DLDC in supporting community initiatives.  He outlined how their programme has supported many different community projects right across the county.  He paid tribute to the Lifford club for their imaginative and innovative approach to this multi sport programme, which was clearly an outstanding success.

Having delivered a successful five day programme of events, the Lifford club looks forward to the delivery of further such initiatives in the future.