Latest News

Be part of the team: ABC Sports Forum Affiliation Now Open!

Join over 150 local sporting clubs and individuals who benefited from a range of tailored support, resources and guidance as an affiliated member of the ABC Sports Forum. Working in partnership with Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, the ABC Sports Forum is a voluntary body that provides a voice for local sport and…

New Chatty Benches: Talk of the Borough

Five brightly painted ‘Chatty Benches’ have been installed across the borough to help bring local people together, thanks to a partnership between Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council and the ABC Loneliness Network. Located in The Palace Demesne, Solitude Park, Lurgan Park, Edenvilla Park and Tannaghmore Gardens, the new Chatty Benches offer a spot for people to come together…

ABC Council Award Over £20,000 to Local Athletes

ABC Council Award Over £20,000 to Local Athletes Twenty-eight local athletes receive funding totalling more than £20,000, thanks to Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council’s Sports Bursary Scheme. Ran in partnership with Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Sports Forum, the special presentation took place in Craigavon Civic and Conference Centre on Thursday 24 March. Now…

New Running Programmes To Get You Moving

Spring into action and improve your health and wellbeing for 2023 on one of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council’s latest running programmes.   Taking up running can feel like a scary prospect – especially for beginners – but now you can get the support and guidance you need to train up to the…

Get ready to ‘Play Wild’ at Oxford Island’s new, world exclusive play park!

A brand new, state-of-the-art, bespoke and truly unique play park has been created at Oxford Island – and it has to be seen to be believed. A world exclusive, this is not ‘just’ a play park. In fact, it sets the bar for future play parks, and is being used as a shining example for…

The Best Views Come After the Hardest Climb

Aislinn Smyth was a getactiveabc member at the Orchard Leisure Centre for 3-4 years before the lockdown in March 2020, she regularly went swimming, to Pilates/Yoga classes and worked out in the gym. During lockdown her fitness regime took a unique turn, she started mountain climbing with her husband Harry. The busy Mum of five…

Primary carers get leisure benefits with launch of new pilot membership scheme

Primary carers of an adult with a learning disability who use Southern Trust services are now able to avail of reduced rates at any of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council’s leisure facilities thanks to a new pilot membership scheme. The scheme, which is being facilitated by ABC Council and the Southern Health &…

Move More and Stay Active

The Move More ABC programme has continued to support people who are living with cancer to become active and stay active. Funded by Macmillan Cancer Support, the project is managed by Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon Borough Council and is supported by the Southern Health & Social Care Trust. From swimming lessons to aquafit, boxercise…

Hard work and determination pays off for Eoin Maginn

Rathfriland Community Centre want to extend a huge congratulations to Eoin Maginn on his achievement of winning the 2021 NIFMA Mr Athlete Under 18 Age Class. Eoin is a regular user of the gym at Rathfriland and the gym team at the centre have been so impressed with his strong determination to achieve his goal…

Poolpod makes a splash with users at Banbridge Leisure Centre

Banbridge Leisure Centre are making waves for swimmers thanks to their revolutionary Poolpod facility, a pioneering platform lift system transforming access to swimming pools for people with disabilities and restricted mobility. Supplied by Disability Sport NI and funded by the Department for Communities, the Poolpod facility was first introduced to Banbridge Leisure Centre in February…