Launched at Easter with the endorsement of Offaly Olympians James Nolan, Gordon Kennedy and Pauline Curley, the fit class challenge is a remote competition between schools to determine which class has the fastest average speed and also the ability to sustain speed over 1 minute.  Testing undertaken by the Sports Partnership and the South Offaly Sports Hub in Crinkle, found that the average top speed of primary school children was 17.5 km/h for girls in first class and 21.8 km/h in sixth while for boys it was 18.2 km/h in first and 22.3 km/h in sixth.  Usain Bolt on the other hand reached a top speed of over 44.7 km/h when he set the world record for 100m in 2009. 

Explaining the concept behind the Fit Class Challenge, Sports Partnership Coordinator, Eamonn Henry emphasised that the objective is to improve fitness by all children over the next five years.  “Every child in a class contributes to that class’s overall average score; it is not a case of a class picking a select few to represent them”.  By setting it up as a friendly competition between schools Mr. Henry believes that average fitness scores will improve in the coming years.  “By 2023 this year’s first class children should be getting better scores before they leave primary school than this year’s sixth class pupils”.  He feels that a 5% improvement over 5 years is a realistic target.  

Inter school fitness competitions were held from first to sixth class across three categories; small size classes, medium size classes and large size classes.  The 36 category winners were: 

Small size classes, girls

• 1st Class, St. Caillin's National School, Rashina
• 2nd Class, Coolanarney National School
• 3rd Class, Mountbolus National School
• 4th Class (tie), Gaelscoil na Laochra, Biorra & St. Ciaran's National School, Clonmacnoise
• 5th Class (tie), Coolanarney National School & Carrig National School
• 6th Class, St. Kieran's National School, Broughall

Small size classes, boys

• 1st Class, Mountbolus National School
• 2nd Class, Ballyboy National School
• 3rd Class, Gaelscoil Éadan Doire
• 4th Class, Coolanarney National School
• 5th Class, St. Kieran's National School, Broughall
• 6th Class, Coolanarney National School 

Medium size classes, girls

• 1st Class, Shinrone National School
• 2nd Class, Scoil Charthaigh Naofa, Rahan
• 3rd Class (tie), Scoil Chrónáin Naofa, Dromakeenan & Scoil Sheosaimh Naofa, Ballinagar
• 4th Class, Killeen National School
• 5th & 6th Classes, Scoil Shinchill (Killeigh) 

Medium size classes, boys

• 1st Class, Scoil Charthaigh Naofa, Rahan
• 2nd Class, Scoil Náisiúnta Naomh Eoin, Rath
• 3rd Class, Scoil Naomh Mhuire, Cloneygowan
• 4th Class (tie) Scoil Chrónáin Naofa, Dromakeenan & Daingean National School
• 5th Class, Scoil Shinchill (Killeigh)
• 6th Class, Scoil Chrónáin Naofa, Dromakeenan

Large size classes, girls

• 1st Class, St. Mary’s Primary School, Edenderry
• 2nd Class, St. Joseph’s National School, Tullamore
• 3rd, 4th & 5th Classes, St. Mary’s Primary School, Edenderry
• 6th Class, St. Philomena’s National School, Tullamore

Large size classes, boys

• 1st & 2nd Class, St. Joseph’s National School, Tullamore
• 3rd, 4th, & 5th Classes, Scoil Muire Banríon Edenderry
• 6th Class (tie), Scoil Muire Banríon, Edenderry & Scoil Eoin Phóil II Naofa, Tullamore 

Presentations were made to all winning classes prior to the summer break

ENDS 

For further information please contact Eamonn Henry, Coordinator Offaly Sports Partnership on 086 – 7948054 or by email