Blog Post

NOHC Summer Scheme is a huge success!

14 September 2021

The first Summer Scheme held by the hockey club last month for two hundred of the local youth, proved to be a huge success in every way!

The free event, running for six days from Monday 16^th to Saturday 21^st August at the club grounds on the Belfast Road, was open to all young people from the local community and was sponsored by the Education Authority and Newry and Mourne and Down District Council.

Following the last 18 months of lockdown, the main aims were to get young people outside once again, taking exercise and having fun!! Going by the smiling faces and feedback from the many participants, these goals were without doubt achieved and some!

As well as having the full support of the youth team coaches from the hockey club, other activities were led by professional coaches from the local sporting, arts and wellness communities, including Newry City soccer stars, Ryan McGivern and Thomas Lockhart; dancing, arts and drama coaches, Danielle, Turlough, Catherine, Amie, Beth and Cliona from 'Newry Dance Theatre Arts' and nutrition and wellness coaches, Laurence, Miley & Cameron from 'Life Guards Healthy Hearts'.

Pre-registration was required for the scheme and incredibly it was fully subscribed within 48 hours by the local youth aged 5 to 15 years.

Over the six action-packed days, the coaches organised the kids into groups for hockey, soccer, dance, arts & crafts, drama, yoga and specific sessions on nutrition to highlight the benefits of exercise and diet.

Lunch and healthy snacks were provided free to everyone each day by the fantastic catering team from Newry Show Catering, Valerie, Carol, Nicola and Michael.

Apart from the final day, the weather was great for the whole week, but even the rain on Saturday couldn’t dampen spirits. All the participants really enjoyed the exciting timetable and action-packed days. Many loved the opportunity to try out new activities they hadn’t experienced before. Everyone who took part was rewarded with a magnificent NOHC Summer Scheme 2021 medal as a memento of the week.

We want to run more events for the community...

The hockey club chairman and Summer Scheme organiser, Brian Lockhart said, ”we are so grateful for the support provided from Newry Mourne & Down District council, the Education Authority, NxtGen Football, Newry Dance, Lifeguards, Newry Show Catering and our own hockey coaches. Newry Olympic Hockey Club wants to reach out to the local community and provide professional physical activity programmes, that highlight the importance of health and wellbeing, through healthy nutrition, sport and creative pursuits in a safe and fun environment. The success of this bumper camp really highlights the need in the area. We look forward to engaging further with young people in the community.”

Brian added... "Our thanks also go to Newry High School for allowing parents to use their grounds for car parking when dropping off and picking up their kids. And special thanks go to the club volunteers who helped out during the week; Mark McCullough, Katie McCullough, Nicola Clements, Jonny Gregg, Shannen Robinson, Zara Moffett, Abbey Moffett, Nevin Gray, Kathryn Baird, Andrew Baird and Gareth Moffett."

Checkout our Summer Scheme video.....

Read just some of the feedback left on the club’s social media accounts..…

“Just wanted to say a big THANK YOU to all of you that were involved in the hockey week for the children, my two girls had a ball!”
“My wee one loved the summer camp too! Thank you so much to all involved in the planning, organising & delivery of the activities, food, signing in & out, etc. NOHC are lucky to have such willing volunteers”
“Well done to everyone involved, the children had a great time and loved trying out lots of new activities”
“Fantastic summer camp! Caoimhe loved it! Well done to all involved”
“Thank you so much to everyone involved in the very successful summer camp. My 2 had a fantastic week, as did I, look forward to next year's already”
“Thank you so much to everyone who was a part of this summer scheme. Such a memorable week and an amazing experience for the children. Harry is still talking about the burgers. You are all fabulous people”
“Thank you so much, was a brilliant week”
“Fair play to everyone involved! Fantastic camp! My two loved it”
“Thank you to all the organisers and volunteers for putting on a great week for the kids with so many activities. My kids had such a great time!”
“Thank you to you all the girls loved it”
“Thank you to Brian and Valerie and all the wonderful ladies who took care of the children every day. The coaches were top notch”
“What a fantastic week!! Matilda loved it! Can’t wait to go again next year!! Thank you to everyone who worked so hard!!”
“It was brilliant, children loved it! Thanks 2 all involved”
“Thank you to everyone Callum enjoyed every minute...so well organised!!”
“Thank u to all of you for such hard work and fun u all put in for the kids all wk, feel very blessed Niamh got to have a place and enjoy it so much”
“Thank you so much to all the leaders and helpers for putting on such a great week of activities for the children. They all thoroughly enjoyed it. Much appreciated”
“Thanks to everyone involved in the summer scheme. It has been the most fantastic week for the kids. Wonderful memories”
“Thanks to all involved in making this week possible maisie had a great week she loved it”
“Girls loved there first day looking forward to tomorrow”
“This summer was our first experience of 'Summer Schemes', and it can be so very hard to cut those apron strings, but I am so glad that we put our trust in the Hockey Club and both our kids had the time of their lives! Every single member of staff was so encouraging, friendly and supportive and I could see from day 1 how well my children were looked after.”
“Thank you so much Brian and Co for all the fun sport and food. My kids really enjoyed themselves. Hope to see U again next year.”
“Super club & brilliant coaches during the Summer scheme of 2021. Had two boys attending for the week & they absolutely loved it. There was a great mixture of sport, dance & arts & crafts. Having come from a gaelic & hurling background, I can safely say they embraced hockey & soccer with open arms! Having never played it before! And they absolutely loved both! Definitely a highlight along with the daily bbq!! A special thanks to Brian, whom by all accounts was ‘amazing mummy!’ thank you again to everyone involved.”
“I would like to say a massive CONGRATULATIONS to Newry hockey club for the fantastic week to organised for kids from all over the town, everyone was fed and well looked after. Today family members as well as children got fed, and a display of all the work the kids took part in all week. ALL THIS WAS FREE, A GREAT USE OF FUNDING”