Dame Mary Peters launches the 2016 youth athlete series

The largest youth athletics series in Northern Ireland, known as the firmus energy Super 6, which is open to all young people aged eight and up, has been launched by Dame Mary Peters.
Jack Ferguson of firmus energy with members of Lagan Valley Athletic Club.Jack Ferguson of firmus energy with members of Lagan Valley Athletic Club.
Jack Ferguson of firmus energy with members of Lagan Valley Athletic Club.

The athletics series is growing in popularity as more and more young people from across Northern Ireland become involved in sport.

firmus energy Super 6, which is organised by the Lagan Valley Athletics Club and takes place at the Mary Peter’s track, is designed to encourage beginners to come out and ‘have a go’ at track and field events as well as helping to develop serious global competitors and future local Olympians.

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Bryan McCorkell from Lagan Valley Athletics Club, explained: “Due to increasing numbers year on year at the meets, we added an extra date for last year’s series. However, despite this, we found that a couple of the evenings ran on quite late and we appreciate that this isn’t ideal for the competitors or their families.

“Although we introduced an online booking system a couple of years ago, only around 20 per cent of people taking part used this option. This caused logistical issues for us as we were uncertain how many people would be entering each event and how much time to allow for heats.

“This year, we are asking ALL those who want to take part in any of the Meets to use this facility where payment of £3 per event can also be made. This will mean our registration process will be much faster and we will be able to organise the heats in advance making it much more manageable and enjoyable for the competitors, parents and organisers alike!”

He added: “We are also delighted that firmus energy has committed to supporting the series for a third year. The team there are really proactive and, in addition to financial support, have helped progress initiatives to help us grow and develop the series.”

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Jack Ferguson for firmus energy added: “Athletics is thriving in Northern Ireland and it is so inspiring to see the dedication and determination shown by the young people. There is also fantastic support from their families who take them to events like this as well as daily training sessions. It is great to have a series like this where so many young people have the opportunity to try and in many cases excel at the sport. We look forward to working closely with the organisers during the series again this year which we are confident will be bigger and better than ever.”

The 26th year of the series will open with the first Meet on Thursday 14 April at the Mary Peter’s Track. For more information, visit www.laganvalleyac.co.uk or the ‘firmus energy Super 6’ facebook page.