“There is an urgent need for improvements to running and athletics facilities; there is not one yard of synthetic track in Fermanagh.” That is the message from elite athletes who are backing a call by UUP Councillor Raymond Farrell for a Centre for Sporting Excellence in Fermanagh.

“It may be pie in the sky,” Mr. Farrell concedes, “but if you thought that about everything, you wouldn’t get anything done.” He tells The Impartial Reporter: “This is much more important than some of the things we discuss in the Council.” A recent public meeting in Irvinestown to discuss Sport NI’s Sports Facilities Strategy was overseen by Richard Lewis, a consultant who is undertaking a review of leisure provision in Northern Ireland for Sport NI.

It is understood that representations were made to have Necarne become the location for a Centre of Sporting Excellence.

“I feel that we in the West lack the sports facilities and infrastructure that other parts of Northern Ireland have,” Mr. Farrell states.

The Erne North Councillor points to the Mid Ulster Sports Arena in Cookstown as an example of what Fermanagh needs. It is a £2.5 million state of the art outdoor sports facility owned by Cookstown District Council, which some Fermanagh clubs currently use for training.

“The need for investment in a fit for purpose running track, swimming facilities, sports pitches and angling as a sport is something the Sports Minister needs to grasp in support of this council area,” Mr. Farrell contends.

He believes that the former Fermanagh Council “were very proactive in seeking to improve infrastructure” but that it is now up to the department to end its “underinvestment” in Fermanagh.

He is calling on Sports Minister Carál Ní Chuilín to invest in a new Centre for Sporting Excellence, stating: “We have so many talented people who need this Minister to support this council in having the state of the art sporting facilities that will encourage, enhance and promote participation for all.

“For far to long our people have been forced to travel to Belfast and other areas to avail of facilities and coaching expertise when in fact we have many excellent coaches in the region who need to be supported in facility provision such as soccer pitches and a proper running track.” In response, a spokesman from the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL) said: “It is important that Councils, departments and sports governing bodies work together to ensure that the limited capital funding that is available is targeted where the need exists.” He said that the Sports Facilities Strategy, together with the 11 district Councils’ area reports “will help inform how the needs of sport at both a community and elite level can be best met in the future.” Sport NI has identified £17.5 million Lottery Funding for capital investment in sports facilities which will “aim to provide integrated sport facilities that meet the needs of the community and high performance athletes within the same multi sport environment,” he adds.

Former Ulster Novice cross country champion Conan McCaughey (25) represents Enniskillen Running Club and represented Northern Ireland in the Armagh International Road Races in February. He trains at the University of Stirling, where he is completing a Masters in Health Psychology.

“There is an urgent need for improvements to the running and athletics facilities in Fermanagh. The running track at the Forum is very dilapidated,” he states.

“A Centre for Excellence in Sport is an excellent idea,” he believes, adding: “There is not one yard of synthetic athletics track in Fermanagh.

“A tartan track is essential for track training. At the minute, the facilities in Enniskillen can only support road distance and cross county runners, it can’t cater for sprinters, long jumpers or throwers,” Mr. McCaughey continues.

“Fermanagh has an All Ireland triple jumper (Conall Mahon) and an Ulster and Northern Ireland Senior Championship 800 metre runner (Mark Hoy) both competing for clubs outside the county; the facilities in the county aren’t up to scratch,” he adds.

“The nearest athletics track which has facilities for jumps and throws is the Peace Link in Clones, which is 25 miles away from Enniskillen. Athletes here are at a major disadvantage,” Mr. McCaughey says. “I represent Enniskillen Running Club, but I train at my university. If I was living at home I would have to train outside the county.” Junior athletes need “something to strive for”, he believes. There are “brilliant athletes” coming out of Portora, St. Michael’s and Mount Lourdes but many do not continue their sporting career after school. “If the facilities and infrastructure was available in Fermanagh, I think they would continue to train and compete,” Mr. McCaughey states.

Irvinestown triple jump champion Conall Mahon thinks a Centre of Excellence for Sport is “a great idea”. However, he urges caution, saying: “There’s no point in spending millions if there is no interest in a particular sport; look at Omagh where they have a tartan track but it doesn’t have a massive amount of use.” As former St. Michael’s College PE student under Francie Shaw, he is now studying Earth and Ocean Sciences at NUI Galway. Mr. Mahon notes: “Fermanagh is the only county in Ireland without a tartan track. During the summer months I would benefit from training in Enniskillen, rather than having to travel to Donegal.” He points out: “Where I train in Donegal there is a 120 metre tartan track suitable for sprinters and a long-jump pit; that could be a cheaper option.” Two Milk Cup training sessions had to be cancelled in the run up to this year’s event due to weather and double-booking, says Fermanagh Premier Milk Cup Manager Robbie Walker.

“We need more opportunities for coaches to train on good grass pitches,” he states. “Major tournaments such as the Milk Cup aren’t played on grass; 3G is not the same as grass.” Mr. Walker is also conscious that local hockey and tennis clubs are “crying out” for new facilities.

The DCAL spokesman concluded: “The department recognises the significant contribution made by people west of the Bann to sport in the north of Ireland and shares the view that we must recognise the contribution that coaches, local club volunteers and the wider community makes to our sporting success and to providing opportunities at grass roots levels. Plans are already under way to hold the next annual Celebration of Sport event in Enniskillen in March 2016.”