Ulster Hockey’s annual primary schools’ competition, sponsored by business advisory firm BDO NI crowned the champions of their boys’ and girls’ competitions this week, showcasing the continued growth and popularity of the sport.
With 36 schools competing in both finals’ days – the winner of the McCloy Cup (girls’ competition) was Waringstown Primary School with Pond Park Primary School in Lisburn crowned winners of the Pearson Cup (boys’ competition).
The finals took place at Stormont Playball Pitches, involving all qualifying teams from across Ulster. Now in its fourth year, the partnership between Ulster Hockey and BDO NI continues to profile the sport of hockey among young people across the region, encouraging participation from an early age.
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Laura Jackson, Partner at BDO Northern Ireland attended the finals and said: “BDO NI has always been committed to partnering with sporting organisations who focus as much on participation as they do competition, particularly from an early age. For many young people, the activities they take up in primary school follows them throughout their education and beyond and plays a significant role in developing much needed life skills.
“The primary school’s festival is the starting point for many young people getting involved in hockey and the popularity of these finals is growing year on year. Everyone at BDO NI would like to congratulate the winners of both competitions Pond Park Primary School in Lisburn Waringstown Primary School.
“We are proud to continue our partnership with Ulster Hockey and supporting the McCloy and Pearson Cup competitions, helping to promote the sport throughout the region.”
Marc Scott, Chief Executive of Ulster Hockey added: “Both the Pearson and McCloy Cups are fantastic examples of how local and nationwide schools can get involved with hockey. Each year sees more teams across the province get involved. Seeing more teams, both girls and particularly boys, from more rural areas get interested in hockey from such a young age is an inspiration.
"This year saw our Foyle Blitz’s triple the number of teams from last year. This shows that hockey as a sport is growing in popularity across all communities and areas, and across all of Northern Ireland.
“Ulster Hockey relies on youth hockey fueling the desire for the sport for children from a young age. It is a source of great pride that we have BDO Northern Ireland as partners for the Pearson and McCloy Cups which feed off these nationwide blitzes.
"We have been delighted to partner with BDO NI for four years and at Ulster Hockey believe this partnership and, indeed, these two competitions to only be getting bigger and better.”
BDO Northern Ireland is an award-winning accountancy practice that employs more than 150 people in Northern Ireland and provides professional services to more than 1,000 local companies. The partnership with Ulster Hockey aims to facilitate the growth of their primary schools’ competitions, attracting more kids and making it more accessible to schools across Northern Ireland. It will also help improve facilities and allow them to hire more resources to support the growth in the sport.
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