Dame Mary Peters joined young athletes from Lagan Valley Athletics Club to launch this year's firmus energy Super Five series which will begin on 17 April 2014.
Organised by Lagan Valley Athletics Club, the popular longstanding series has been a firm favourite in the athletic calendar and sees more than 700 participants from across Northern Ireland take part. Over the last 24 years, it has encouraged young people to come out and have a go at the sport, as well as helping to develop some of these athletes into serious global competitors.
New to the competition this year is the option of pre-online registration which aims to make the process more efficient for participants. Bryan McCorkell for Lagan Valley Athletics Club, explained, "People will still be able to turn up at each event and register there and then but we hope that many will take advantage of this new online offering as it aims to improve efficiency and save time on the night. Thanks to the support and added value provided by our new sponsor, firmus energy, we look forward to building on the success of this series."
The season will open on 17 April at 7pm at the Mary Peters track and activities will include the shotput, hammer, long jump, javelin, high jump and the 80/100m sprint as well as 100m and 200m wheelchair events. Bryan continued, "We would encourage anyone aged from 8 years old who is interested in athletics to take part as the series provides both opportunities for beginners as well as competition opportunities for more experienced athletes."
Michael Scott for firmus energy added, "This series is a great way to encourage young people to take an interest in sport. From the hurdles to the high-jump and the sprint to the shotput, it provides so much variety and is a fun way to have an active, healthy lifestyle.
"At firmus energy we are delighted to be able to do what we can to help power local talent and know that many successful athletes have been involved in and developed through the Lagan Valley Athletics club. The fact that it has been going for 24 years is a great testament to the quality of the Super Five series and the dedication of the organisers. We look forward to working closely with the club to ensure it continues to go from strength to strength."
Open to people of all abilities from aged 8 through to senior competitors, the firmus energy super five series events will take place on 17 April, 1 May, 26 June, 7 August and 28 August 2014 and will provide an opportunity for people to try out and compete in a variety of athletic activities. Attendance at every ‘meet’ is not necessary. For more information, please visit www.laganvalleyac.co.uk where participants can now pre-register for the first event
The cost for each event is £3 and can be paid on the night.