On Tuesday 14th Feb twenty two children and four adults Suzy Armstrong, Alan Monteith, Barry Kennedy and Lizanne Kennedy arrived in Ennis after their long coach ride from Lisburn. The children had been looking forward to this trip for weeks. They arrived at 4pm at the Auburn Lodge Hotel and after checking in they made straight for the swimming pool.
After dinner they went to the local badminton club where another 18 juniors were waiting. Children from both clubs were teamed together for a Fun Blitz on the two courts. More food and drinks were ready for the the visitors.The Blitz was very enjoyable and finished at 10pm, after which there was a presentation of prizes sponsored by the Ennis Club. Suzy Armstrong presented Lisburn Racquets Club Hoodies to those involved in running the event. She was then presented with a sports pennant from Ennis.
The following day the Ulster visitors left Ennis and made the short journey to the U.L. Sports Arena.Here 8 courts were available from 10 to 3 pm for a Fun Match with a Munster Junior Selection. Again children from Munster and Ulster were teamed together. Each child had at least 11 games each in a round robin event. The adjacent Restaurant served an excellent lunch after which another fun tournament was held. After the presentation of prizes a medal to commemorate the trip was given to all the Ulster Juniors who had not featured in the previous events.
The Ulster Juniors then headed to the 50M Pool to complete their trip to Munster, after which they made a safe return to Lisburn. Suzy Armstrong wrote after: “Just a note of thanks for all your hard work in organising such a superb two days for our players from Alpha. The whole event could not have been better organised or run. We all arrived back at the club safe and well yesterday evening somewhat less energetic then when we had departed.
The experience for the kids of playing in two different venues, seeing the fantastic set up in UL including the use of the pool was something alot of them certainly in their badminton capacity would not have dreamt of doing. They thoroughly enjoyed your mixed concept and meeting your gang also. Their next question was when are you coming for your return visit!. Something we will have to organise in the not too distant future.”