Causeway Coast & Glens Borough Council has caused a racquet through their popular pickleball tournaments thanks to the Sport NI Community Planning Investment programme.
Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council received £46,000 and hosted a range of initiatives to promote sport and physical activity participation throughout the Borough.
The programme includes inclusive sports such as Boccia and physical activities for those with Autism. Also on the schedule was the Pickleball Games Festival which recently took place in both Limavady and Coleraine.
Declan Steele, Sport NI Sports Developer, said: “Our Community Planning Investment provides councils with the opportunity to offer sports participation projects into the heart of local communities in council facilities.
“Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council have put on an excellent programme across all ages and abilities and left a lasting legacy by purchasing new equipment that can be used for years to come across the area.”
12 pairings took part in the beginner and experienced tournament at Roe Valley Leisure Centre which provided an opportunity for many to participate in a new sport, with a second tournament taking place Coleraine in March.
Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens, Councillor Ciarán McQuillan said: “Pickleball’s rapid rise in popularity across our Council area can be attributed to its accessibility, ease of learning, and social nature.
“It is both a fun and engaging sport for all ages and we would like to thank Sport NI for their investment to allow for these sessions and festivals to be successfully delivered.”
Jonathan McFadden, Sports Development Manager added: “The pickleball festivals and sessions funded through the Community Planning Investment has allowed our Sports Development Unit to give the public the opportunities to participate in a fun but competitive environment, meeting new people and enjoying this fast-paced exciting sport.
“We look forward to building on the success of these events by expanding the programme further over the coming months.”
Sisters in Law Margeret and Maeve Boyle both attended the festival and took part in the beginners tournament to see if Pickleball could be a new sport for them.
Maeve said: “We signed up for Limavady and Coleraine as we wanted to try something new. We hadn’t heard of it before, so it was to try a different sport to keep fit and meet people. We’ve got a great buzz out of playing today so we will go back to Ballymoney to play more nearer to home.”
For more information on programming please go to: https://causewaycoastandglens.gov.uk/see-do/sports-development