They have been motivated to realise how physical activity can increase their fitness levels.
A GROUP of teenagers from across Limerick city will put their sporting potential to the challenge when they get behind the startline of the Great Limerick Run on Sunday.
Adam O’Neill and Eugene Johnston from Moyross, Elaine Flynn of St Mary’s Park, Janet O’Connor of Roxboro, Ashleigh Micks, Rachel Doran and Kelly McCarthy of Ballinacurra Weston, Lourda McNamara, Ashling Reale from Garryowen and Ashling O’Gorman from Southill have undergone a rigorous training programme under the guidance of the Limerick City Sports Partnership supported by the BDO Get BACK Challenge.
As members of the Teen Fit Programme, the group has had the benefit of training from a panel of experts, including a leading nutritional advisor, group fitness leader and programme co-ordinators.
Noting that some of the group have never taken part in any structured physical activity outside of a school setting, a spokesperson for the organisers says:
“Thanks to the hard work of Carmell de Mello from the University Arena, who has taken the lead on these sessions, the group has been introduced to spinning, body pump, gym sessions and interval running programmes and has motivated them to continue to train and realise how physical activity can increase their fitness levels,” he said.
“Thanks also to the Limerick City Sports Partnership Development offices, Liam Cantwell and Tracy Mahedy we have managed to drag them to this point, albeit, some of them kicking and screaming.”
As well as gaining expert advice in nutrition and training, the teenagers got valuable insight into their own personal developments, with Tracy adding:
“We started this programme not knowing anyone but over the past eight weeks we have become a team.”
Pointing out that each one of the team brings their own unique characteristic to the training sessions, Tracy continues:
“They are very proud of their achievements to-date and are looking forward to competing in their very first 10km race and now as the starting gun looms they are well on their way to achieving their goal. The development officers are engaging with them on an individual basis to support those few that may be feeling the pinch and would be in danger of dropping out – we are confident of a one hundred per cent success rate.”
With over 7,000 children from various disadvantaged areas and backgrounds already benefiting from the support of the Get BACK programme, the organisers’ aim is that the Teen Fit programme will create more awareness of how activity, nutrition and exercise benefits young people
“The Teen Fit Group taking part in the Great Limerick Run on Sunday will become role models for their friends and community,” added Liam Cantwell.
