Cookstown District Council

Living in Cookstown

Sport and Leisure

Welcome to the Cookstown & District Sports Forum

The Forum was officially constituted in March 2003 although it was in existence for approximately 1 year previous to this.  Its membership represents the views of a wide range of sporting clubs and organisations from throughout the Cookstown District Council Area. The aim of the Forum is to support and advise the Sports Development Unit of Cookstown District Council on strategic issues such as policy, facilities, development, funding and other areas, and to advise on the local direction of sport within the Council area.

Current Chairman is George Barclay

Current Vice-Chairman is Councillor Peter Cassidy

Current Secretary is Oliver McShane

The key objectives of the Forum are;

1.  To promote, improve and encourage interest and participation in sport within the Cookstown District Council area

2.  To assess the sporting needs and aspirations of the area and to assist and support the provision to meet these identified needs

3.  To provide a vehicle for local sports to advise Cookstown District Council of the opinions of local sports interest

4.  To disseminate relevant and appropriate information to all sports in the Cookstown District Council area and to keep all sports up to date on all issues of a sporting nature

5.  To support officers of Cookstown District Council in the establishment of a systems and programmes which will ensure the effective management of the Mid Ulster Sports Arena

6.  To support and develop coaching and sports administration within the Cookstown District Council area

7.  To design and keep an up to date Sports Directory for all sports in the area

8.  To support and develop opportunities for individuals and groups to participate in health promoting lifestyle activities in the area

9.  To offer practical assistance to sporting clubs and others in the Cookstown Council area in line with criteria agreed by the Cookstown and District Sports Forum.

10.  To make relevant applications to funding bodies to support and realise the aims of the Sports Forum.

Fully supported by Cookstown District Council, the Forum has recognised the tremendous significance of community sport and the role it can play in developing local communities.  This was recognised by Sport NI through the successful application made to the ‘Investing In Sport’ programme to appoint a Community Sports Co-ordinator – the current postholder is Paula McGuigan who can be contacted at the Mid Ulster Sports Arena on 028 8676 7135.

Coach Education Training Courses

Throughout the year Cookstown & District Sports Forum will be running a number of training courses and programmes targeted at organisations dealing with young people providing them with access to quality training/resources with a view to improving social skills and community involvement. 

For further information on current coach education programmes please visit

www.midulstersportsarena.com  or contact Paula on 028 8676 7135