A new batch of novice skaters turned up at Ballymena North in September 2024 full of trepidation and nerves, to take part in the third Learn to Skate programme run by Norstar Junior Inline Hockey Club in conjunction with Radius Housing. The programme is supported by the Department for Communities and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive’s ‘Housing for All’ Shared Housing Programme.
Over 12 weeks the young people developed under the guidance of the Club Coaches and Lead Coach Jonny Jones. As part of the programme, attendees also took part in seminars and workshops that included community outreach, health and wellbeing.
The program finished with a roller disco along with the rest of the Norstar players and their families. On completion the participants received their club jerseys from Lisa Mooney from Radius Housing and Dorinda Sinton the current Irish Ice Hockey, Vice President, Women’s team Captain and Women’s development officer.
Lisa said, “Radius are delighted to support the development of this inclusive sport. It is brilliant to see how the club is growing and taking part in more and more activities and matches. Norstar as a club are doing amazing work in reaching out to the local community and bringing in a diverse cohort of children who have not traditionally been involved in sports.”
Dorinda thanked the club for the invite and said, “It was brilliant to see the club growing and creating access for kids who otherwise would not have taken part in the sport.” She also hoped that some of the girls taking part would go on to join the other girls from the Club who had already attended ice hockey taster sessions as the skills from in-line as transferable.
The current Learn to Skate intake began in January 2025 and once again was over subscribed. The club has been actively working with local schools to promote the program and provide taster sessions of uni-hockey which has created a lot of interest in giving this exciting new sport a try.
The Norstar Learn To Skate programme is supported by the Department for Communities and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive’s ‘Housing for All’ Shared Housing Programme. The Programme has its origins in the NI Executive Together: Building a United Community Strategy which reflects the Executive’s commitment to improving community relations and continuing the journey towards a more united and shared society. A potential of £15.5m will be invested in the St. Patrick’s shared housing development and associated five-year Good Relations Plan.
Radius Housing Association currently has 14 shared housing developments across Northern Ireland. St. Patrick’s Good Relations Plan includes ‘Bridging’ events which are delivered to the wider community to encourage a range of good relations outcomes which include Health and Wellbeing and Education and Training.