Noah Watt from Cabinhill Campbell Primary School in Belfast, one of the young athletes in the Flahavan’s Junior Endurance Squad with Flahavan’s Primary School Cross-Country League ambassadors Katie Kirk & Michael McKillop

2020 marks the tenth year of Flahavan’s partnership with Athletics NI, which has seen the Primary School Cross-Country League grow into a much-anticipated annual event.

Over the past 10 years a total of 43,380 children from 391 schools have taken part in the league with a 60% increase from 2010 – 2020

This year, Irish Senior Bronze Medallist, Katie Kirk, the first Flahavan’s Athletics NI league ambassador from 2010, will return for this year’s anniversary celebration. Katie will join Paralympic Gold Medallist Michael McKillop to support this year’s league.

Catherine Ashford, Events and Commercial Manager, Athletics Northern Ireland, explains how this year will work:

“Athletics NI is delighted to announce the 10th anniversary sponsorship with Flahavan’s Porridge for the 2020/21 season of our Primary School Cross Country League. Over the last ten years Flahavan’s has invested considerable resources in cross country at grassroots, taking the league to the next level. The brand’s support has led to a steep increase in participation of primary school children across Northern Ireland.

“Due to the Covid-19 pandemic we have postponed the Flahavan’s Cross Country League from our original start date in October, to the end of January. Subject to Executive restrictions and Sport NI guidance, round one will start on 29th January 2021, with round two kicking off on the 5th March 2021.”

“Over 200 schools across County Down, Southern Area, Causeway Coast, County Tyrone/Fermanagh Area, County Antrim, and North West, are expected to take part in the league this year.”

Michael McKillop, Paralympic Gold Medallist, added,

“As a para-athlete, I am extremely passionate about inspiring young people of all abilities to get involved in sport. Through my role as one of this year’s Flahavan’s ambassadors, I will share my top training tips and encourage a healthy and balanced diet. This could be the start of an exciting career for our sporting stars of the future, so I encourage all schools across Northern Ireland to get involved!”

The 2020/21 Flahavan’s Porridge Athletics NI Primary School Cross Country League will get underway in January 2021, for further information on taking part in the League, please contact the Athletics NI office on info@athleticsni.org  or 028 9060 2707.

To learn more about Flahavan’s full range of products, and how you can fuel your run with tasty recipes, follow @FlahavansIRL on Twitter, or @Flahavans on Facebook and Instagram.