Aquinas extends to the community

Aquinas Grammar working in partnership with the community

The Aquinas Grammar Extended School Project commenced September 2007. As the year progresses Aquinas plan to develop their partnership with sport academies. They would like funding to improve our facilities.

About the initiative

The Aquinas Grammar Extended School Project commenced September 2007. The Physical Education Department in consultation with the School Principal and Board of Governors has made significant links within the local community. To date this includes BREDAGH GAA (800 members), who use the school's sporting facilities for training purposes. Queen's University Ladies Basketball coach students from the school community. Glenvagh special school uses the sports hall on a weekly basis for Special Olympics Basketball. Strong links have also been made with Ulster Rugby who use our car park facilities for their national and international fixtures. This alleviates parking problems within the local area. In return they look after our grass pitch. Consultations are continuing to extend the use of the facilities with many more community groups expressing interest, particularly in an area with a young growing population. Additionally advice has been sought from a consultant to draw up a business plan in the attempt to gain a third generation pitch with floodlight facilities. With improved on-site facilities Aquinas can fully reach out and meet the needs of our community. As the year progresses we plan to develop our partnership with sport academies - coaching camps in a variety of sports using both in-house and external expertise.

What we could do with a bronze award worth £1,000

This sum of money would benefit the setting up of sport academies in paying coaches and purchasing needed resources.

What we could do with a silver award worth £12,500 or even the gold award worth £50,000

A silver or gold award would be a great benefit and help in the required funding to develop a third generation pitch. To move our initiative forward we dearly need to upgrade our existing outdoor facilities.