An opportunity for secondary school students to try out new sports is being extended to Ramsey Grammar School for the first time.

On Wednesday 19th October, Year 7 students will vacate the classroom and instead take part in ‘the Northern Six’ – badminton, hockey, golf, judo, rugby and netball.

Manx Sports and Recreation (MSR) is running the event at the school with input from local sports clubs.

Students will go home with information on training times and contacts for the clubs involved.

It’s hoped the day will lead to students taking up new sports at school and/or club level, with resulting benefits.

Gianni Epifani, Senior Sports Development Officer with MSR, said: ‘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.

‘We developed these sessions with the ‘Southern Six’ day that has now become part of the timetable at Castle Rushen High School.

‘Students get the chance to try sports they may not have considered or have access to, within the normal timetable in a day specially organised for them.

‘In the south, the event has been a success, with sports clubs seeing increased interest from students. We hope this success will extend to the north.’

Gianni added: ‘I would like to thank community coaches. Most have taken time off work to support the day and without them, the event would not take place.’

For information on the initiative or on getting involved in local sport, contact Gianni on 688556 or email gianni.epifani@gov.im

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