Athletics NI Delivers Thrilling Schools Competition in Omagh

19 March 2026

Athletics NI was delighted to return to Omagh to deliver an exciting and closely contested schools athletics competition, welcoming seven schools from across the town and surrounding areas. Bringing energy, colour and no shortage of competitive spirit, schools arrived with full teams ready to take on a wide range of events across running, jumping and throwing disciplines.

Despite difficult weather conditions throughout the day, the standard of competition never dipped. Adaptations were required to ensure safety and enjoyment, but the resilience and enthusiasm of the young athletes shone through at every stage. On the track, students competed across 100m, 400m and 1500m events, testing both speed and endurance. Each race was fiercely contested, with valuable points on offer for every finishing position—contributing to what would ultimately be a very tight team standings table. In the field, the high jump and long jump provided standout moments. The High jump, in particular, delivered one of the most memorable stories of the day, finishing in an incredible five-way tie at the top. With conditions too cold and challenging to safely conduct a jump-off, the athletes shared the honours—an outcome that reflected both the competitiveness and camaraderie on display. Throwing events also saw creative adaptation. With wet pitches making traditional implements unsuitable, shot putt and javelin were modified into Nerf howler target throws. The change added a fun, skill-based twist while still allowing athletes to compete meaningfully and contribute to their team scores, with one athlete roped in at the last minute taking the win and top points for his school! The day built towards a brilliant finale with the 4x400m mixed relay. In one of the most encouraging aspects of the event, athletes from single-sex schools combined to form mixed teams, showcasing teamwork, inclusivity and a shared love of sport. The relays were loud, energetic and a fitting end to a fantastic day of competition. For many students, this was their first experience of athletics competition, and they embraced the opportunity with enthusiasm—stepping outside their comfort zones, trying new events, and earning valuable points for their schools. After a series of closely fought events, it was Christian Brothers Grammar School who emerged as overall winners, edging out strong competition in what was a genuinely tight contest from start to finish. A huge thank you goes to the Athletics NI staff for delivering the event, Youth Sport Omagh for hosting, Gary from Core Kids for his support with logistics, and to all the teachers who played a vital role in supporting their teams throughout the day. Most importantly, credit goes to the young athletes themselves, whose attitude, effort and sportsmanship made the event such a success. The day concluded with a well-earned and much-appreciated pizza break before prize-giving—giving everyone a chance to warm up, reflect, and celebrate a brilliant day of athletics in Omagh.