The Big Sports Quiz 2019: Read and Be Active!

Children from 3rd class in Balbriggan Educate Together National School and Bracken Educate Together National School took part in the annual Big Sports Quiz in Balbriggan Library on Wednesday 11th December.

The Big Sports Quiz is the culmination of a programme run by Fingal Country Council’s Sports Office and Fingal Libraries, which promotes children’s literacy and encourages them to be physically active.

This year, the schoolchildren took part in Fingal’s Sports Conditioning programme every week for seven weeks and read two sports-related books - ‘Get out and Play Rugby’ by Rod Smith and ‘Fintan’s Fifteen’ by Alan Nolan.

Mayor of Fingal Cllr. Eoghan O’Brien was on hand to award the Certificates to the children and commented: “I was delighted to present the Certificates today at the Big Sports Quiz and see the enthusiasm of the children on the day.  This programme is an excellent way to harness this enthusiasm to ensure that reading and engaging in sporting activity is seen as fun and becomes a lifelong choice for these children.”

County Librarian Betty Boardman said, “Fingal County Council’s Big Sports Quiz is designed to get children moving and reading. It’s a great partnership between the Sports Office and the Libraries Department and most importantly it’s a fun way for children to keep fit and to enjoy reading”.

Principal Sports Officer Marion Brown said, “This successful partnership, now in its fifth year, shows children the value of reading and taking part in a programme of physical activity.  When we help children establish healthy lifestyles, they will carry the benefits forward for the rest of their lives”.

Authors Alan Nolan and Rod Smith were the quizmasters on the day in Balbriggan Library.  Teams answered questions on their books and on the ‘Sporting Facts’ workbook from the  Sports Office, which looks at the physical, social and mental benefits of sport.