Today at the House of Sport, the three recently appointed Regional Coach Development Officers met with the personnel from the Sports Council N.I. who will assist them in the promotion of sports development within the geographical area of the North Eastern Education and Library Board.

The three appointed officers, John Fall (Ballymoney) Nick Hastings (Magherafelt) and Stephen McCartney (Coleraine), have as their remit, the aim of providing quality sporting opportunities for school children, particularly those in the rural primary schools of their assigned council area. To further these opportunities they will also be working closely with the local sports clubs in that council area and attempt to recruit more coaches who can provide the pupils with quality sports coaching after school, with the emphasis on FUN and ENJOYMENT in sport.

Those pupils who have enjoyed their experience of a sport in the primary or post-primary school, will have a pathway through to developing their skills in the local club. Parents and club members will be encouraged to gain coaching awards which will enable them to deliver positive quality coaching. The pupils in the schools can progress from their school to their junior club, and a seamless pathway for performer development can be achieved.

These new appointments have come as a direct initiative between the North Eastern Education and Library Board and the three councils of Coleraine, Magherafelt and Ballymoney. Aided by funding from the New Opportunities Fund, the sporting outlook for pupils in the North East certainly looks a lot brighter as we start the new school term.

D. Lewers. YS/RCDO/PR