Castlereagh Wildcats Activ8 Clubs are BACK on the PROWL and ready to ROAR!

Wildcats Activ8 Clubs offer a unique form of physical activity aimed at children aged 5 – 11 years old.  By joining a Wildcats Activ8 Club, children can take part in fun activities to develop their skills for sport. Wildcats Activ8 Clubs are a Northern Ireland wide initiative delivered by Castlereagh Sports Development operating in Belvoir Activity Centre, the Robinson Centre, Lough Moss Leisure Centre and Dundonald International Ice Bowl from late September onwards. The cost of the clubs is £2.50 per session or £20 if the 10 week bock is paid for in advance. There is also a family rate of £20 for the first child and £15 for any subsequent siblings.

The ethos behind the Wildcats Activ8 Club seeks to develop children’s skills for sport and confidence in a fun, safe and challenging way. It is vital that all children participate in at least 60mins of physical activity every day and the Wildcats Activ8 Clubs are an ideal way to achieve this.

By joining a Wildcats Activ8 club children will have fun, be active and develop their fundamental movement skills in Agility, Balance, Co-ordination, Body Movement as well as improving their abilities regarding Teamwork, Confidence and Enjoyment. If children acquire these core movement skills and a positive attitude towards physical activity from an early age, they are more likely to become lifelong participants in sport and physical recreation.

A pathway has been developed for the Wildcats Activ8 Clubs which ensures a natural progression for children over a 4 level process. Children from 5-7 are introduced to fundamental skills for sport during Level 1 within Wildcubs. These skills for sport are further developed within Wildcats for children 8-11 during Levels 2, 3 and 4 - Bronze, Silver and Gold. In level 4 - Gold, these fundamental skills are applied to specific sports within a Multi Sports Academy.

Upon completion of the pathway children can then go on to join a quality junior sports club or local authority recreational sports club which will enable their continued involvement in sport and physical recreation.

The coaching content of the club has been carefully selected to ensure it is fun, safe and challenging as the competence of the child increases. Each session plan is designed to target specific areas of skill and development with a natural progression throughout each of the 4 levels. As progression continues, sessions begin to focus on individual skills and key sporting elements.

The Wildcats Activ8 Clubs, supported by Sport Northern Ireland, have been awarded the prestigious London 2012 Inspire Mark and were launched last year by Olympic Gold Medallist and World Champion Triple Jumper Jonathan Edwards.

For further details on the Wildcats Activ8 Clubs operating in Castlereagh please contact Faron Morrison, Sports Development Officer on 90811969 or email faronmorrison@castlereagh.gov.uk. If you would like to register your child, please contact the leisure centres directly.