Courses and Programmes

See the courses and events available across the borough for local sports men, women and clubs.

Tuesday 19 November 2024, 6pm to 8pm in the Queens Hall, Newtownards

A free event for women running in winter, featuring an inspiring panel and expert advice. Hear about their running journeys, including top tips for improving your running, staying injury-free, and benefiting your physical and mental wellbeing.

Main Speaker: Gillian Killiner, Dietitian - Nutrition for Women Runners: Fuel Your Goals

Ards and North Down Policing & Community Safety Partnership will provide tips and equipment to help you be safety aware while out running.

Register by Tuesday 12 November by email to: pcsp@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk, Tel: 028 9182 4070

Registration is now open for the 2024-2025 Sports Education courses below.

To register: download the Registration Form and return it to sportsdevelopment@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk

Please note:

• Fees are non-refundable (unless the course is cancelled) 
• Places are available on a first come first served basis, and we can only confirm places once we have received both the registration form and any relevant payment 
• Clubs are limited to 3 places per course unless courses are not fully booked, then additional places may become available.
• Emergency First Aid at Work course includes both practical and multiple-choice exam 
• All online courses delivered via Zoom and may require pre-learning (pre-learning material will be emailed prior to the course start date) 

For further information email: sportsdevelopment@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk

Ards Half Marathon and 9 mile walk returns this year meeting at Ards Blair Mayne Wellbeing and Leisure Complex. The Half Marathon takes in a loop of Ards town, then to Comber via the Scrabo Road with beautiful views, returning to the Complex along the carriageway and Moate Road. If you like a slower pace, you can also join the 9-mile walk.

The Half Marathon will be chip timed, officially measured with a generous prize fund. It will take place on Friday 28th June with an official start time of 6.30pm.

Entry details: 
www.scrabostriders.com/open-races

Queries: 
Newtownardshm@gmail.com 

  Pictured is Mayor of Ards and North Down
  Karen Douglas, along with Hannah Robinson from 
  Scrabo Striders and Robbie Geary, Sports and
  Recreation Development Officer

The NI & Ulster Championship Bangor 10k is an all-inclusive event for all abilities. Past events have attracted Olympians such as Paul Pollock, National Marathon Champion (Irl) Laura Graham, local athletes, new athletes and wheelchair participants.

The race starts in Castle Park, near the front of the Town Hall, Bangor at 10am. The route is fairly flat and fast, with a short hill around 9k. On leaving Castle Park runners will run through Bangor town centre before heading out along the coast and countryside to Groomsport. The route will loop through Groomsport once again meeting the coast for the penultimate km back to Bangor. The finish area is in Ward Park in Bangor, where there is plenty of space to rest and enjoy the atmosphere and refreshments.

The race will be chip timed and part of The Cinema Coffee 10k Grand Prix race series.

The total prize fund, of over £3400, will include the usual age category prizes, for both male & female winners.

For further information and to register, please visit: SiEntries - NI & Ulster Championship Bangor 10k

For general enquiries, please contact: events@northdownac.co.uk

The South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust is running the - MOMENTA ADULT WEIGHT MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME.

The programme is a weight loss and healthy lifestyle intervention, introducing behavioural change skills to maximise outcomes from the programme, such as keeping food and activity diaries, setting SMART goals and tracking weight.

The programme is available to anyone who is over 18 years, has a Body Mass Index of over 25, is motivated to adopt a healthier lifestyle and lives in the South Eastern Trust area.

If you are interested in the programme or would like more details, contact the trust on 07890 022499 or email: adultweightmanagementservice@setrust.hscni.net

The aim of the Awards Ceremony is to recognise, promote and reward local sporting achievement of teams and individuals across the Ards and North Down Borough.

The 2023 Sport Awards was held at the Clandeboye Hotel, March 1st 2024.

Click here for more info

Working With Parents in Sport have recently produced a new book entitled ‘Two Hats: A guide for those coaching or thinking of coaching their own children.  As well as this they have created a range of webinars that may be of use to coaching, clubs or parents within your sport.  Information on these can be accessed via the following link: https://www.parentsinsport.co.uk/bespoke-services/.

 If you wish to contact Working With Parents in Sport by email, contact: workingwithparentsinsport@gmail.com