We were delighted to attend the Girls in Racquet Sports event in Lisburn as part of our Be Seen, Be Heard, Belong campaign.
The joint initiative organised by Tennis Ireland in partnership with Lisburn & Castlereagh Council, Ulster Badminton, Ulster Table Tennis, Squash Ulster and the Female Sports Forum welcomed pupils from St Aloysius Primary School and Brownlee Primary School, offering them the opportunity to try out tennis, table tennis, and badminton in a fun and inclusive environment.
The event was designed to promote participation among young girls and highlight the importance of inclusion in sport from an early age. With expert guidance and encouragement, attendees were introduced to new skills and inspired to stay active and confident through sport.
The session featured input from key figures across racquet sports. Eugene McKenna from Tennis Ireland supported the event’s delivery and helped engage the girls in tennis activities. Conor Hickland, a coach with Ulster Badminton, led fun and accessible badminton games, while Jennifer Thompson from Ulster Table Tennis brought energy and enthusiasm to the table tennis sessions.
The Girls in Racquet Sports event reflects Sport NI’s ongoing commitment to creating opportunities where young people – especially girls – can feel seen, heard, and that they truly belong in sport.