Latest News

Boccia – Disability Sport NI Schools’ Championships

South Lake Leisure Centre was a hive of competitive energy for yesterday’s Disability Sport NI Schools’ Boccia Championships for special schools and learning support centres. We welcomed pupils and mentors from Lismore College (Craigavon), Ceara School (Lurgan), Banbridge High School and Arvalee School (Omagh) for a fun-filled day of competitive Boccia – a target sport…

Children’s Mental Health Week – Growing up can be tough!

Navigating life and all its ups and downs can be overwhelming for children. As parents, guardians, teachers and leaders, we want to support and guide young minds as best we can to promote positive mental health. Christie Mc Mahon, Physical Activity Coach with ABC Council delivers a variety of sports and physical activities across the…

Get outdoors & explore with ABC audio trails

Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough (ABC) Council has launched a new and exciting app which hosts six audio trails to ensure park users of all ages and abilities can learn more about nature, history and wildlife. The ExploreABC app allows visitors to connect to a series of self-guided walking tours across Lurgan Park and…

Walking football – a new way to enjoy the beautiful game!

It’s game on at Gilford Community Centre as the next season of walking football kicks off on Monday 5 February from 1.30-2.30pm. The programme will run for 6 weeks until 11 March. As the name suggests, walking football is a game of football where players walk instead of run, offering a slower paced version of…

New year’s resolutions starting to wane?

Did you ring in the new year with new fitness, health or lifestyle goals? Maybe you promised yourself you’d try new things or do more of what you love. We’ve all been there, done that and the struggle is real! In reality, things may not be going to plan or you’ve called it quits altogether?…

Top tips to motivate yourself for a winter walk!

Let’s get you good to go for a winter walk. Sometimes taking the first step can be the hardest, and once it’s done, there’s no stopping you! Getting outdoors into the fresh air can do wonders for our physical and mental health and wellbeing. Here are some top tips to help motivate and inspire you:…

Girls inspired to lead as physical activity ambassadors

Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough (ABC) Council and the Southern Health and Social Care Trust (SHSCT) have teamed up for the third year in a row to host a Physical Activity Ambassador Leadership Day for female students at Dromore Community Centre. Funded by the Public Health Agency, and led by ABC Council and the…

Pedal power in memory of Ben 

Staff at Orchard Leisure Centre completed a 12 hour Spinathon in memory of a dear colleague and friend, Ben Gillis who sadly passed away in April this year in the Intensive Care Unit of the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast. Ben’s friends and colleagues came together, and through a gruelling 12 hours of spinning, they raised…

Get Christmas all wrapped up with getactiveabc!

Make it a December to remember! Treat yourself or someone you love to the gift of fitness, fun and relaxation! Stuck for gift inspiration? Keep family and friends feeling merry and bright this festive season and beyond with a getactiveabc gift voucher, which can go towards all of the following: Gym, swimming (Orchard, Banbridge and…

Earl stars at the European Athletics Championships

On International Men’s Day we are celebrating all the positive male role models and raising awareness of men’s health and well-being. Our fitness instructor, Earl Taylor ticks all the boxes when it comes to inspiration, positivity, a get-up-and-go attitude and young at heart ethos! Earl got into competitive running 16 years ago, at 60 years…