Skip to main content

Cookies on North-Ayrshire.gov.uk

We use some essential cookies to make this website work.

We'd like to set additional cookies to understand how you use North-Ayrshire.gov.uk, remember your settings and improve government services.

View cookies
MyNAC
MyNAC

North Ayrshire Active Schools hold ASN sports event

Photo collage of ASN sports event at Portal in Irvine in gym hall

North Ayrshire Active Schools were proud to team up with KA:Leisure at The Portal in Irvine for an action-packed Additional Support Needs (ASN) sports event. Held in the main sports hall, the inclusive Commonwealth-themed event welcomed over 150 pupils throughout the day on Tuesday 17 March.

In the morning, St Marks, St Palladius, Springside, St Peters and Lawthorn primary schools participated in a series of circuit pit-stops. Pupils from Kilwinning Academy and Irvine Royal Academy also participated in the morning session.

Then in the afternoon, Greenwood pupils joined in with attendees from Elderbank, Beith and Castlepark primary schools.

Activities on the day included:

  • a sensory dance session with Ruth from Waterbaby Dance
  • martial arts taster with Annette from Senjokai Karake
  • football skills with Colin from Kilwinning Sports Club
  • boccia taster session - a precision target sport similar to bowls - with North Ayrshire Active Schools Modern Apprentice Naomi
  • adapted racquet sports to build confidence and coordination with Eleanor from KA:Leisure
  • athletics stations with North Ayrshire Athletics Club

The aim of the event was to inspire and connect young people from the ASN community through activities and sports. It forms part of the #PlaygoundToPodium programme of events happening across North Ayrshire schools as the team count down to the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

It was also a valuable opportunity for Ayrshire College students and North Ayrshire Athletics Academy recruits alongside KA:Leisure and the other partners to host their own sessions and develop their coaching skills through inclusive practice and engagement with local ASN pupils.

Now in its ninth year, the ASN Multi Sport Festival has been adapted year on year to suit the needs of the young learners, and this year was the first to have a tailored sensory play and quiet area for participants to retreat to if the action and noise of the event became too much.

Pupils taking part shared:

  • “I loved the dancing area, the Taylor Swift-inspired sensory fans were amazing.”
  • “I really liked the boccia and doing the find the treasure bean bags. It was so fun.”

With support workers sharing:

  • “The way the different activities were sectioned off and labelled using aided language boards made the event really inclusive.”
  • “Having the option of the quiet area was brilliant as some of our young people can find the scale and acoustics of a big sports hall quite overwhelming, so this was an adapted element that let everyone participate freely and confidently.”

Quote: Thank you to the Active Schools team – part of North Ayrshire Council’s Community Learning and Development Service – and to all of the leaders, coaches, community partners and volunteers involved in this worthwhile sport event. This is a brilliant example of how we are championing the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child Article 31 – to guarantee children and young people the right to participate fully in recreational opportunities. ASN sport events like this one are so important because they bring our communities together. They foster a sense of belonging, build confidence and support all learners to realise their full potential while looking after their health and wellbeing. Well done to all of our young people who gave it their all and most importantly had fun on the day.

Quote from: Rhonda Leith, Head of Service for Connected Communities

North Ayrshire Active Schools work across all primary and secondary schools across our six localities to provide equal access to extra-curricular sport and physical activity participation during lunchtime, after school and in our communities.

The team also deliver varied development programmes (such as Active Girls, Young Ambassadors, Team Inspire and North Ayrshire Sports Academy) for aspiring sports leaders to hone their skills, gain confidence and achieve industry-recognised qualifications along the way.

Sport plays a crucial role in supporting the physical and mental wellbeing of all young people and the resilience, teamwork and sense of belonging gained is at the heart of all activities delivered by the Active Schools team.

Stay tuned to North Ayrshire Active Schools on Facebook for more updates.

Published: 26 March 2026

Wellbeing
Wellbeing
Irvine
Back to news