Around 90 boys and girls aged 5 to 14 from the local area take part in the weekly sessions held on Wednesday evenings between 5 pm and 8 pm. They complete their training in eight-week blocks, and at the end of each block, they put on a display for their families to showcase their skills. The provision of the latest in recreational equipment will be hugely beneficial to their development.

Maggie Farrelly, Education & Training Coordinator with Donegal Sport’s Partnership’s North West Sporting Pathways Programme, said: “The opportunity to provide the equipment stemmed from one of the main aims of the NWSP programme to support and develop minority sports such as gymnastics in Donegal and in Derry City and Strabane District Council area.”

“Recreational gymnastics sessions for children in the centre are being delivered by Natasha McLaughlin from Falcarragh Gymnastics. The centre had limited gymnastics equipment at their disposal for their sessions, and we were able to provide new equipment through the North West Sporting Pathways Programme to help support their setup.

“The children attending the sessions are benefiting greatly as they have been introduced to new equipment such as beams and bars to enhance their personal development,” the Education & Training Coordinator added.

The centre had basic gymnastics equipment initially when they first started out, as Natasha McLaughlin explained.

“We only had roll-out mats, wedges and small blocks. Now we have bars, beams and vaults which have added so much to our sessions, creating new opportunities for the children to try and explore,” she said.

“It’s great to have a variety of apparatuses for the kids to use and enjoy. We were able to progress our programme further through the introduction of new equipment to the children and to upskill their development, added Natasha, who is assisted each week by Rebecca Gibson.

Rosaleen O’Brien, Ionad Naomh Fionnán Manager, said securing the new gymnastics equipment was a huge boost to the centre.

“It was fantastic to get the equipment sponsored by Donegal Sports Partnership, and the children are delighted with the addition to the gymnastic equipment,” the manager commented.

Echoing the sentiments of the centre manager, James Harkin, Chairman of Ionad Naomh Fionnán, said: “On behalf of the staff and committee at Ionad Naomh Fionnán, I would like to thank Donegal Sports Partnership for the gymnastics equipment which we received recently. This new equipment will greatly enhance the range of activities and skills that the young gymnasts are practising weekly. We are delighted to be promoting gymnastics at our facility, and our new equipment will provide many happy and safe hours of fun and exercise for the young gymnasts.”

Launched in 2019, North West Sporting Pathways Programme is a partnership initiative spearheaded by Donegal Sports Partnership, Donegal County Council, and Derry City and Strabane District Council to progress the development of coaches across the North West region.