Sports taster days for students new to secondary school will encourage them to take up sport in the community – leading to lifelong hobbies and friendships.

That is the hope of Manx Sport and Recreation, which organised 45-minute sessions in six sports for Year 7 students at Castle Rushen High School and Ramsey Grammar School last week.

The Southern Six event, staged for a third year, saw Castle Rushen students try their hand at hockey, rugby, netball, badminton, golf and judo.

At Ramsey, a new Northern Six event featured hockey, rugby, netball, badminton, golf and table tennis.

Gianni Epifani, Senior Sports Development Officer with MSR, said: ‘At both schools, Year 7 pupils tried sports they might not have taken part in before, in rotation, under the instruction of volunteer coaches from community clubs.

‘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 went 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 and mental health, benefits and encouraging people to take up sport as a pastime is part of our 10-year strategy.

‘Many of those who join community clubs when young find they have a fulfilling hobby for life, forge friendships and go on to coach and encourage others.’

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