FREE Tai Chi classes will be taking place in Waves Leisure Complex Lurgan starting on Thursday 3rd October until Thursday 12th December 2019 from 2.30pm -3.30pm.
Tai Chi for health is a series of relaxed, gentle movements that can improve fitness, muscle strength, flexibility, balance and reduce the risk of falling.
Tai Chi for Health is particularly beneficial for people with arthritis, however anyone can enjoy the health benefits of the programme.
Places are limited so book early to avoid disappointment.
To book a place please contact Cathy Devlin on 028 3831 2533 or email cathy.devlin@armaghbanbridgecraigavon.gov.uk.
First for UK and Ireland providing an inclusive opportunity for people of all abilities to access the forest’s walking and mountain biking trails.
The Department for Communities and Sport NI have invested £250,000 into the new All Out Trekking Project at Gosford Forest Park.
This exciting new initiative delivered by Disability Sport NI and Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council provides, an inclusive opportunity for people of all abilities (12 years and above) to access the forest’s walking and mountain biking trails together.
The project is the first of its kind in the United Kingdom and Ireland with the battery-operated Terrain Hopper and Quadrix all-terrain vehicles that are particularly suitable for people with a disability, long term health condition or restricted mobility to access off-road terrains.
Hosting the launch, Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon, Councillor Mealla Campbell said,
“Gosford Forest Park is a fantastic facility and with this new initiative it brings a unique outdoor experience for people with a disability to enjoy the already popular walking and biking trails with family and friends.
“We are thrilled this is the first project of its kind in Northern Ireland and we hope Gosford will act as a hub to bring local people and visitors to experience this wonderful inclusive facility.
“We are delighted to work in partnership with Disability NI to deliver this project but it could not be made possible without the funding, support and vision from the Department of Communities and Sport NI who have invested significantly in this project.”
Speaking on the project the Department for Communities explained that,
“The specialist equipment will provide people with a disability access to trails and forest paths which have not been previously accessible.
“The project will really push the boundaries for those with restricted mobility and open up opportunities to share new experiences with friends and family.
“This equipment, and the infrastructure that is being put in place to support it, will have an impact across Northern Ireland and beyond. The All Out Trekking Initiative really does promote Active Living: No Limits.”
Disability Sport NI Chief Executive Kevin O’Neill welcomes the investment saying,
“Disability Sport NI is excited to launch All Out Trekking in partnership with Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council.
“There has been significant investment by the Department for Communities and Sport NI into the disability sports sector in recent years through the Active Living: No Limits 2021 Action Plan and this latest initiative brings the total investment to £1.5 million.
“The Action Plan to get more people with a disability in Northern Ireland engaged in sport and active recreation has been a total game changer for disability sports in Northern Ireland and we would encourage everyone to try this exciting new experience”.
Speaking at the launch Jayne Moore Capital Sports Development Officer from Sport Northern Ireland said
“Sport Northern Ireland is delighted to have worked with Disability Sport NI and Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council in delivering this innovative project based at Gosford Forest Park.
“The project will now provide opportunities to access forest trails that were previously totally inaccessible to most people with disabilities. With the provision of this off-road all-terrain equipment, people with disabilities will be able to participate in walking and mountain biking activities with family and friends, using disability specific equipment.
“The project has also provided standard mountain bikes which can be used by able bodied people to accompany their family member who is using the all-terrain equipment. This fantastic project gives people an opportunity to participate and enjoy in a range of outdoor activities.”
All Out Trekking is now open for taking bookings. To find out more about All Out Trekking and to book please email *protected email* or call 028 9046 9925.
Nominees have been shortlisted for the prestigious Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Junior Sports Awards, sponsored by McKeever Sports Intersport, which will take place on Friday 27 September in Craigavon Civic and Conference Centre at 7pm.
Lord Mayor, Councillor Mealla Campbell said ‘I am delighted to announce the shortlisted nominees for this year’s Junior Sports Awards. It is fantastic to see the high standard of young athletes from within our Borough and I am looking forward to a night of celebrating their sporting achievements.’
Padraic McKeever, Managing Director of McKeever Sports Intersport added, “We are once again delighted to be Headline Sponsor for these prestigious awards. I know the selectors had a difficult task given the very high standard of sporting achievements and would like to congratulate all those nominees who have made the shortlist. We are looking forward to the awards evening and getting to meet all our local sports stars of the future.”
Category |
Name (Sport) |
| Sports Person with a Disability | Caolan McConville – (Skiing) |
| Junior Male of the Year | Scott Owen – (Athletics – Cross County & Track) Nathan Hook – (Athletics – Field) Rory Comer – (Badminton) Dylan Foy – (Boxing) Sam Topping – (Cricket) Tommy Dobson – (Hockey) Scott Craig – (Rugby) Adam Brown – (Skiing) |
| Junior Female of the Year | Sinead Byrne – (Archery) Laura Comer – (Badminton) Mia Patterson – (Bowls) Lucy Morton – (Equestrian) Katie Herron – (Football & Hockey) Catlin McCormack – (Gaelic Football) Abbie Corbett – (Gymnastics) Nicole Larmour – (Table Tennis) Jodie McKew – (Taekwondo) |
| Junior School Team of the Year | Seagoe Primary School Football Team King’s Park Primary School Girls Football Team St Catherine’s College U14 Girls Gaelic Football Team St Ronan’s College Loch An Iuir Banbridge Academy U14 Boys Hockey Team Seagoe Primary School Girls Hockey Team |
| Junior Club Team of the Year | Craigavon City Football Club U14 Boys Team Craigavon City Football Club U13 Girls Team Sarsfields GAC U14 Boys Gaelic Football Team Clan na Gael CLG U14 Girls Gaelic Football Team Portadown Ladies Hockey Club U11 Team Banbridge Rugby Football Club U14 Team |
| Youth Male of the Year | Niall McComb – (Archery) Daniel Scott – (Athletics – Field) Odhran Hamilton – (Athletics – Track) Matthew Daly – (Cricket) Aaron Graham – (Rugby) Daniel Wiffin – (Swimming) Caleb Ralston – (Tennis) |
| Youth Female of the Year | Bethany Nixon – (Athletics – Cross Country & Track) Holly Mulholland – (Athletics – Track) Casey Mullan – (Camogie & Gaelic Football) Niamh McKiverigan – (Cycling) Clia Creaney – (Gaelic Football) Ellen Reid – (Hockey) Katie Cartmill – (Netball) |
| Youth School Team of the Year | Banbridge Academy Intermediate Cross Country Team St Patrick’s Grammar School U19 Boys Basketball Team St Catherine’s College U16 Girls Gaelic Football Team Banbridge Academy 1st XI Girls Hockey Team Dromore High School 1st VX Rugby Team Banbridge Academy U15 Girls Table Tennis Team |
| Youth Club Team of the Year | Banbridge Netball Club U16 Team Annaclone GAC U16 Girls Gaelic Football Team City of Armagh RFC U16 Team Portadown Amateur Swimming Club Provincial Towns League Team |
| School Coach of the Year | Rose Anne Slane – (St Patrick’s Grammar School) Ciara Marley – (St Catherine’s College) Mark Cordner – (Banbridge Academy) Neil Madeley – (Banbridge Academy) |
| Club Coach of the Year | Damien Lennon – (Northern Ireland Performance Academy) Becky Cullen – (Iveagh Pony Club) Bryan McCann – (Craigavon City Football Club) Diarmaid Marsden – (Clan na Gael CLG) Clive Gardiner – (Banbridge RFC) |
| Volunteer | Robyn Doherty – (Banbridge Netball Club) Aaliyah McKinney – (Armagh Special Olympics Swimming Club) |
For further information on the Junior Sports Awards, contact the Sports Development Unit on 028 3831 1692
Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council developed a Play Strategy in March 2017 to establish a framework that relates to the provision of fixed play and the development of non-fixed play, across the Borough.
At its core, the Play Strategy acknowledges that play is a natural and fundamental aspect of children and young people’s lives that supports growth and development across a range of developmental areas.
In our continuing effort to improve the quality of service provided by Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon Borough Council, we are carrying out a survey to identify the number of children aged 0-14 years old in the Tullygally area that would avail of play facilities and how those children play.
Council is committed to its equality and good relations duties as set out under section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 and the Rural Need Act 2016 and as part of this consultation we would like to ensure that you/your organisation has every opportunity to express your view.
Our online Survey closes Wednesday 21st August 2019. Only one survey to be completed per household.
Come join us at Lurgan Park and Portadown People’s Park as we celebrate National Play Day on Wednesday 7 August – with a fantastic day of fun free activities for children of all ages to enjoy, it’s one not to be missed.
As part of the annual celebration of children’s right to play and its importance in their lives, the National Play Day events kick off in Lurgan Park from 10am to 1pm followed by an afternoon event in Portadown People’s Park from 2.30pm to 5.30pm.
Climb aboard the Belfast Playbus and enjoy lots of soft play fun or for the more energetic have a go at scaling the climbing wall. With a range of art and craft workshops, face painting, inflatables, balloon modelling, fun games and much more – there is something for everyone!
There is no need to book in advance, with both events running on a drop in basis – so for a fun day of FREE activities why not come along and have a go!
On Monday 29 July, Elaine Devlin, Investing for Health Officer, Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council delivered a FUN Healthy Eating Workshop to children attending the Summer Scheme at Tandragee Recretion Centre.
The children really enjoyed the workshop with a few prizes picked up along the way. 
The Summer Scheme has lots of action packed activities including soccer, tennis, badminton, basketball, arts & crafts, dance and many more.
The Summer Scheme continues Monday to Friday until Friday 23 August. Early bird, half day and full day sessions are available at affordable prices with savings for weekly tickets purchased.
For the full getactiveabc kids Shake up Summer 19 programme, please visit www.getactiveabc.com/summer
South Lake Leisure Centre will provide world class facilities for residents and visitors.
Progress to create one of Northern Ireland’s newest and largest public leisure complexes took a leap forward recently as the final bolts to the roof of the new £35 million centre in Craigavon were finally moved into place.
The ‘topping out’ ceremony – which marks a key stage in construction where the building reaches its highest point – kicks off a fresh workstream of internal and external work that will rapidly gather pace ahead of its grand opening launch next year.
When completed, the new world class South Lake Leisure Centre will be among Northern Ireland’s most modern, state of the art leisure centre with picturesque views. Fit for modern needs and constructed against exacting new building requirements, it will transform leisure provision in the area for generations.
Due to open in autumn 2020, the stunning facility will incorporate an impressive eight-lane,50-metre swimming pool, a 1,000m2 gym – the largest anywhere on the island of Ireland – and an extensive outdoor water sports provision.
Also featuring an 8-court sports hall, studios, activity rooms, soft play area, health and beauty suite and a café, all in a cutting-edge building carefully designed to be accessible to all, it is the largest capital investment ever undertaken by Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council.
Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, Cllr Mealla Campbell, said:
“The new South Lake Leisure Centre will serve as an icon for Craigavon and the wider borough and its creation underlines our commitment to provide the very best amenities for residents and visitors for decades to come.
“This outstanding, breath-taking facility will provide an unrivalled health and wellbeing provision which will improve the quality, health and wellbeing of our citizens and deliver an exciting platform of opportunity to encourage and inspire greater sports participation and achievement at a local, national and international level.
“This new high-performance South Lake Leisure Centre will be a hive of activity, reflecting the vibrancy and ambition of the borough and the people we represent.”
Construction of the new complex has created hundreds of jobs, with around 500 fulltime workers signed up to complete the build.
Warren Wright, Regional Director at Farrans Construction, said:
“As one of the UK and Ireland’s most experienced construction leaders, we’re delighted to be celebrating this pivotal build milestone. From design through to development, we’re also incredibly proud to be involved in the creation of one of the best health and sporting facilities anywhere in these islands which when complete will be available to all.
“We have an excellent construction track record and I’m pleased to report that we are well on track to open next year.”
As part of the council’s commitment to maintaining high levels of spend within the local market and among small to medium sized enterprises, it commissioned Farrans through the Scape Procure National Construction – Major Works England and Northern Ireland framework to build the new leisure centre.
Scape’s collaborative ethos involves engaging with approved local businesses, sub-contractors and suppliers, ensuring that the project provides significant employment opportunities for residents and businesses in the area.
Local employers already involved in the scheme include Callan Construction, D&K Systems, Taranto Piling, GM Wall Tracking and J&C Agencies.
Plans for the new leisure complex – first floated in 2010 – are part of a wider and ambitious regeneration programme across the ABC area.
Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council to launch free traditional outdoor play and events programme in Craigavon on Saturday 27th July.
‘Play in the Community’ is a free, fun new programme for children and parents/guardians across the borough of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon, giving families and communities access to a broad range of play and an opportunity to build positive relationships through play.
The project is funded by the PEACE IV Programme, a cross-border initiative, financed through the European Union and managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). It has been designed to support peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland and the Border Region of Ireland.
The exciting play programme will take place in four central areas in Craigavon: Tullygally, Parkmore, Moyraverty and Drumgor. Parents and family members who take part in the four sessions in any of the areas will be offered the opportunity to train and gain qualifications in Playwork – all FREE of charge!
| Location | Session 1 | Session 2 | Session 3 | Session 4 |
| Tullygally | Tuesday 30th July
2.30pm-4.30pm |
Tuesday 6thAugust
2.30pm-4.30pm |
Wednesday 21stAugust
10.30am-12.30pm |
Tuesday 27thAugust
10.30am-12.30pm |
| Parkmore | Wednesday 31stJuly
10.30am-12.30pm |
Thursday 8thAugust
2.30pm-4.30pm |
Wednesday 21stAugust
2.30pm-4.30pm |
Tuesday 27thAugust
2.30pm-4.30pm |
| Moyraverty | Wednesday 31stJuly
2.30pm-4.30pm |
Tuesday 20thAugust
10.30am-12.30pm |
Thursday 22nd August
10.30am-12.30pm |
Thursday 29thAugust
10.30am-12.30pm |
| Drumgor | Thursday 1stAugust
2.30pm-4.30pm |
Tuesday 20thAugust
2.30pm-4.30pm |
Thursday 22nd August
2.30pm-4.30pm |
Thursday 29thAugust
2.30pm-4.30pm |
Launching on Saturday 27 July at 11.00am at Brownlow Community Hub, parents and guardians can bring their children along for a taster play session, registration and a barbecue in the afternoon. Priority will be given to children who have registered on the programme, which can be done on the launch date or online at www.getactiveabc.com/book
To register online now, click HERE.
Hosted at these four locations, the programme offers play for children up to 16 years old, regardless of ability and will be delivered by PlayBoard NI (lead organisation for the development and promotion of children and young people’s play in Northern Ireland).
If you live in the Craigavon area come along to the free launch event on Saturday 27 July to hear more about the programme and enjoy free play outside!
Match-funding for this project has been provided by the Executive Office in Northern Ireland and the Department of Rural and Community Development in Ireland.
For more information email Caoilin, Evia or Joan from the Play in the Community team: *protected email*
As part of the Community Plan for Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon, the Get Moving ABC Partners (Council, Education, Health and Community Volunteer Sector) are developing a collaborative framework to engage everyone in physical activity and get them moving.
Primarily focusing on communities, workplaces and schools our overall aim is to ‘Get Everyone Moving’. Physical activity is classed as any activity that raises your heart rate which has a positive impact on your physical, mental health and well being.
In the Southern Health and Social Care Trust only 51% of people meet the recommended physical activity levels. We want to encourage everybody to get active and improve their health and fitness.
For good health;
- Children under 5 capable of walking of walking unaided should be physically active daily for at least 180
minutes (3 hours), spread throughout the day. - Children over 5 should aim for at least 60 minutes of physical activity a day,
- Adults should participate in either 75 minutes of vigorous activity or 150 minutes of moderate activity per week.
More is better but something is better than nothing!
We would like to understand more about people’s current levels of physical activity and the reasons why people do not participate in physical activity.
As part of this consultation we would like to ensure that everyone has an opportunity to express their views. If you currently participate or don’t participate in physical activity we want to hear from you. We are particular keen to hear from groups of people that are currently under-represented in sport and physical activity, for example women, people with a disability, those on low income and those from rural areas and would like to find out what would encourage them to participate.
The consultation will be open from Monday 22 July – Friday 9 August and can be found at the link below It will only take a couple of minutes to complete and we would encourage everyone to have their say.
For further information please contact Gillian Dewart, Sports Development Officer on T: 028 4066 0637 or E: *protected email*
The summer holidays are in full swing and so is Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council’s superb GetactiveABC Shake Up Summer Programme which delivers an exciting abundance of boredom busting activities and summer schemes for kids throughout July and August.
Taking place at locations across the borough, the programme presents a vast range of persuits to keep young ones active, healthy and happy. Badminton, climbing, watersports, tennis, squash, judo, rugby, golf, multi-sports schemes and activity camps are just some of the activities on offer.
Highlights include a Crazy Summer Scheme for 4 – 12 year olds taking place at Keady Recreation Centre until Friday 23 August from 9.00am to 3.00pm weekdays.
Havelock Park, Banbridge, plays host to an amazing Athletics Camp for 8 – 14 year olds on Monday 29 to Wednesday 31st July from 10am – 2pm.
On Tuesday 23 to Friday 26 July from 10am – 12pm, Lurgan Park rolls out a Junior lawn bowls camp for young people aged 8 – 16 years.
This is just a small selection of all the fabulous activities being served up as part of the Shake Up Summer Programme. For a full list of whats on offer for young people this summer and further information including costs and how to book go to here