BISHOPS ATHLETICS SERIES 2006

The Bishops Athletic Series for Year Eight pupils in Secondary Schools was held at Coleraine Academical Inst. on Friday 23rd June. This is the eighth year of this competition which has been sponsored by Bishops Footwear Ltd since its inception. The popularity of this event was shown by the number of teams taking part- ten teams-representing most of the schools in the Coleraine Area and over one hundred boys and girls competed in what was a very enjoyable and keenly contested event.

Schools enter a team of two athletes per event and each athlete can enter two events plus the relay. Points are awarded in each discipline and these together with the relay placings go towards a final team score. Thanks to the generous sponsorship of Bishops Footwear Ltd the first three athletes in each event get a medal and the two winning teams get a trophy. Mr T Hamilton, who has taken a personal interest in this competition was on hand to get the events under way.

Dominican's BISHOPS Athletes	Mr Hassan, Mr Hamilton & Mr Graham

There were quite a few outstanding performances on the track where S. Mc Afee of North Coast and G. Glendinning of Dalriada dominated the sprints. B.Trail of Dalriada set a very fast pace in the 800m and led from start to finish where he had seven seconds to spare over second placed N. Higgins of St Mary’s Grammar School. In the girls event S. Keys of Ballymoney High had a good victory over C. Bateson of St Mary’s and both girls ran under the three minute barrier.

In the field events B. Trail of Dalriada continued his winning ways and completed a double when he added the high jump title to his sprint victory. C Cochrane of Coleraine High took the girls high jump and indeed the Coleraine girls were already beginning to leave the other competitors in their wake. S. Campbell of Coleraine College ensured that the High School did not have it all their own way when she took the long jump from second placed L. Mc Kinney. The boys event was won by R Mc Laughlin of CAI who were having a tremendous battle with the Dalriada Boys for whom P.Mc Cully took the shot putt.

At the end of a very enjoyable and competive afternoon Coleraine High emerged victorious with a tremendous tally of 53 points in the girl team competition with Dalriada and Coleraine College taking second and third places. In the boys competition Dalriada won with a great tally of 45 points and Coleraine Inst and Ballymoney High took the minor places.

Once again a special vote of thanks must go to Bishops Footwear Ltd. for their generous sponsorship, to Dominican College for organising and to Coleraine Inst. who hosted.