GALLERY: Sports Tour to Belfast

Over the half-term break, students from Shells and Thirds enjoyed an action-packed sports tour to Belfast. 

The footballers were put through their paces in quality coaching sessions by Irish FA coaches, and the netballers reaped the benefit of the excellent coaching and facilities at Queen’s University Belfast.

During the trip, students played matches against two local schools, Laurelhill and Our Lady’s and St Patrick’s College. Both schools were very welcoming and put on competitive fixtures for the King’s teams. 

Director of Sport, Richard Lunn, was excited to be out on tour again with the younger players from the Senior School. 

He said: “After a two year break from trips due to Covid, it was brilliant to be able to take football and netball players from Shells and Thirds for, what would have been for most, their first big trip away with King’s since they started at the Senior school. 

“Sports tours are a great opportunity for students to compete in friendly matches against new opposition, and meet with children from different schools. It is also 

It’s also important for us to also immerse ourselves in the local history and culture, especially when visiting such an historical city like Belfast.”

Between training and matches, the students had lots of opportunities to learn about Belfast’s rich and interesting history. 

Visits included famous landmarks such as Stormont, the seat of the Northern Ireland Government, and the Titanic Museum where students were able to learn more about the famous ship at the very place where it was designed and built.

A visit to the Peace Wall was one of the most poignant moments of the trip, with students learning more about the Troubles whilst signing their names on the wall.

The students also enjoyed more adrenaline-filed activities at Colin Glen Adventure park where both teachers and flew down the Sky Trek zip line and hurtled down the Black Bull Run before some friendly competition at the Ten Pin Bowling. 

The highlight for many students was the Belfast Giants Ice Hockey game against Dundee Stars. The students enjoyed an energetic, exciting match which eventually saw the home team victorious after a nail biting penalty shoot out.

Mr Lunn concluded: “A great time was had by all and we would like to thank everyone at Inspire Sport for a well organised and perfectly seamless trip as well as our friends at Laurelhill, Our Lady’s & St Patrick’s College and Queen’s University Belfast for their warm Irish welcome and hospitality.”

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