Sport ‘looking bright’ at Steelstown Primary School

Long regarded as one of the most progressive primary schools in the city Steelstown PS is now to the forefront in promoting fitness for pupils attending the school. And school principal, Siobhan Gillen, has made it clear that the promotion of participation in sport has become a major part of her school’s curriculum.

Pointing out that that she firmly believed it was not only important physically but also mentally for children to get plenty of good healthy exercise in our increasingly hi-tech, sedentary world Mrs Gillen stated: "We love to see our children taking part in all sports and, indeed, it is great to see so many girls now getting involved in soccer and GAA as well.

"And leading from the front, the principal was of the opinion there was a lot more ‘to sport than just sport’."

She explained: "Each discipline helps develop character, problem-solving, resilience, perseverance, confidence, team work and helps keep the body healthy, fit and strong. The fun element is also essential and the children in Steelstown love their sporting activities."

Steelstown PS which celebrated 50 years recently and is now making a big push on the sporting front with the school’s teams taking part in many activities ranging from GAA, soccer, and netball amongst the wide range of activities.

The school was recently able to acquire a sponsorship deal with Lynch’s Eurospar in Skeoge which saw the purchase of a new netball rig for the school team.

In thanking the local business for their support, Mrs. Gillen paid tribute to the local community for its involvement saying this was vital: "Getting support from local businesses and community are important in promoting sport among our pupils and I’m delighted that Lynch’s have come onboard.”

One of the new coaches/teachers this year is Mrs. Shantelle O’Hara who confessed to knowing little or nothing about netball until she got involved with the school team but she has readily and enthusiastically adapted to netball’s requirements.

Shantelle takes up the story: "I hail from the County and lived in Drum just outside Dungiven. Coming from a GAA background, Camogie was my sport. My family are all GAA fans and players, so a certain amount of reading took place to learn about netball and bring myself up to scratch with the rules. It’s all systems go now at Steelstown.

"The new rig, thanks to the help of Lynch’s will get the girls up for winning some trophies. Netball is on the up in the north-west area and this year we will see many more teams taking part in the local league and we hope to play a big part in that."

And a wee bit of success was a great motivator for the girls.

Denise Ferguson, store manager and Liz Taggart, Lynch’s Food Stores, Skeoge pictured presenting a cheque for sponsorship of a new kit for Steelstown PS Netball Team for the 2023 season at the school on Thursday afternoon. Included from right are Mrs. Siobhan Gillen, principal, Ciara, team captain and Mrs. Shantelle O’Hara, coach/teacher. (Photos: Jim McCafferty Photography)

Shantelle again: "Our first outing as a team again was last April in which the Steelstown P.S. team had great success. The love of the game is back in the school with the girls wanting more. It has been great to see netball up and running again in the schools and the girls love it."

And it’s not just netball that has come to the fore this year. The school’s soccer team are performing well under the leadership of coach/teacher Mr. Emmett Hargan. The school’s GAA and athletics teams have also been doing the school proud, with Mr. David Lowry, coach, describing the commitment and skill levels to be ‘up there with the best of them'.

He commented: "This year, our pupils have been fully committed to not only participating but competing in all GAA and athletics competitions within the city and further afield.

"I’m delighted to say our numbers are constantly increasing and, along with magnificent coaching from local club, Steelstown Brian Og's and our staff members, our players are benefiting from playing for the city’s clubs as well as representing their school.”

The Steelstown PS Gaelic football team pictured with coach/teacher Mr. David Lowry .

Mrs Gillen said she is delighted with these developments stating that the holistic approach to education required attention to matters not just within the classroom but outside of it as well.

She concluded: "The Romans had an old saying that a healthy body was important for a healthy mind. And that’s something we think really is important. Sport can be really essential in this and that is we are promoting it big time."