A sports taster day for Castle Rushen High School’s newest students on Friday was a success.

The event is staged annually by Manx Sport and Recreation (MSR), with coaches from southern clubs providing fun, 45-minute sessions in six sports.

• Golf (Mount Murray Juniors, Port St Mary Juniors and Rowany Juniors)
• Badminton (Rushen Hot Shots and Castletown Abbey)
• Rugby (Southern Nomads)
• Netball (Simcocks and Fencibles)
• Hockey (Saracens and Castletown)
• Judo (IOM Judo Club)

Gianni Epifani, Senior Sports Development Officer with MSR, said: ‘The whole of Year 7 took part and had a go at all the sports, mostly for the first time.

‘The clubs that took part are all keen to attract new members and it’s hoped students will sign up as a result of the day.

‘To encourage this, students were sent home with booklets detailing information on training times and contacts for the clubs involved.

‘Taking part in community sport has great social, as well as physical, benefits and encouraging people to take up sport as a hobby is part of our 10-year strategy.’

Keith Winstanley, Headteacher of Castle Rushen High School, said: ‘This great school and community initiative significantly raises the profile of local sports clubs among our 11 and 12-year olds, who are then much more likely to want to get involved with sport.
‘Obviously this has lasting health benefits, but it also means our new students are motivated in team and group activities at the end of their first full week here, thus helping develop friendships and collaborative learning.’

For information on sports clubs in the south, contact Gianni on 688556 or email gianni.epifani@gov.im

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