Victory sugars boys’ sense of fun

TWO Co Limerick boys’ sense of fun caught the eyes of the judges and helped their school win gold, and €1,500 for sports equipment.

Thomas Higgins and Shane Kenny, both eight years old, were pictured in the winning entry in the Siúcra School Sports Day Photography Competition.

They were snapped competing in the tyre race during their school sports day earlier this year. The photograph, taken by Peter Erasmus, whose children also attend Caherline National School in Co Limerick, captured the fun, energy and happiness of the occasion in the minds of the judges.

The boys were in second class when the picture was taken last May and are now in third class at the school, near Caherconlish.

The prize for the school consists of vouchers worth €1,500, which will be spent on providing more sports equipment for the 90 boys and girls, much to the delight of principal Pat O’Dea and the school’s staff. They have decided to put the equipment they will buy to good use by dedicating 15 minutes of every morning to exercise.

Caroline Walshe, product manager with Irish Sugar, made the presentation at the school yesterday morning.

More than 600 schools around the country had entered the competition, which was an element of the larger Siúcra School Sports Day initiative.

The programme is in its sixth year.

It was introduced by Irish Sugar to emphasise the importance of sport and exercise to school children.

But it also aimed to take the hassle out of organising sports day for the busy teacher.

This is achieved by providing colourful materials and souvenirs for pupils on the day.

More than 2,500 schools take part in the initiative each year.

“We feel that programmes such as the Siúcra School Sports Day make an important contribution in promoting a healthy lifestyle,” Ms Walshe said.