Published: Thursday, 10th June, 2010 10:00am

A chance to try out a new sport in Mullingar

Destination Sport is a new week-long local festival, to be centred in Mulingar, which will allow clubs to showcase their particular sport in exciting and innovative ways to members of the general public.

Poc Fada and Kick fada at the follies

The GAA have really pulled out all the "shots" to create a hurling and football skills spectacle with a "Poc Fada and Kick Fada" event at Belvedere House Gardens and Park.

"This is an ideal setting for a showcase of football and hurling. The course, which is a kilometre in length, runs between the Gothic Arch, across sweeping meadow to the Gazebo, on the Belvedere Estate.

"Each football and hurling club will send a minor and senior player to participate in the competition and Mullingar Crystal has sponsored a trophy. There will no doubt be some of the county's finest hurlers and footballers taking part," said James Heffernan. Games Development Officer for Leinster GAA,

The event will start in the shadow of the Gothic Arch and the winner will be the player who covers the distance in the fewest kicks or pucks. The Poc Fada and Kick Fada event takes place on Monday 14th June from 6pm until 8pm.

The littlest members of the county's GAA are not forgotton during Destination Sport either. The last of the under eight blitzes will take place on Tuesday and Thursday night at the County Grounds. On Tuesday night 600 under eight children are expected for the Under Eight football blitz at Cusack Park at 6pm and on Thursday, same place, 300 under eight hurlers are expected to compete.

I don't like cricket, I love it

Outside the sphere of GAA, there are an incredible collection of sporting clubs in and around Mullingar. The Cricket Club is having an Open Play Cricket competition at St Finian's College on Friday 18th June from 6.30 to 9pm and everyone is welcome to come along and try the game described by the greatest cricketer of all time W.G. Grace as "a life of splendid freedom, healthy effort, endless variety, and delightful good fellowship."

June is long associated with tennis thanks in no small measure to wonderful Wimbledon. The Mullingar Tennis Club will be hosting a Open Junior Tennis Tournament on Saturday 12th June and Sunday 13th June from 9am until 6pm.

Another court game is showcased on Saturday 19th June with Mullingar badminton running Junior Badminton from 10am until 12.

The Mullingar Volleyball club are having an open night at St Mary's Sports Hall from 7pm until 8pm.

The Mullingar Tennis and Badminton Club will also have a free "come and try" open night from 8pm until 9pm at their premises at Mullingar Tennis Club on Austin Friar Street.

Another fine sport that has its roots in GAA is Aussie Rules and locals can see the speedy spectacle of this fast and furious highly competitive game on Saturday 12th June at Harbour Field when the Midland Tigers take on the Leeside Lions.

I can dance if I want to

Destination Sport will also see the much maligned leg warmer back in high fashion with free "come and try" dance events throughout the week. Fame Fantastic Dance Aerobics at the Mullingar Arts Centre have two sessions one from 7.30pm to 8.30pm on Monday 14th June and one from 7.30 to 8.30 on Friday 18th June, The Dionysus School of Dance in the Mullingar Arts Centre will have two sessions one on 15th June 7.30pm until 8.30pm, Tuesday and for under 8s on Wednesday 5.30pm until 6.30pm.

The Energy Plus School of Dance and Gym have two come and try demo's on Saturday 19th June from 1-2pm and 2-3pm at their premises on the Lynn Road.

The Big Splash

With the greater Mullingar area being as much water as it is land, it is only fitting that a number of the Destination Sport showcases involve getting a little wet.

The Jets Swimming Club are having a Bridge to Bridge swim starting at 2pm at the Green Bridge on Sunday 13th June.

There is a "Come and Try" Aqua Aerobics Class at Mullingar swimming Pool from 9.30 am with class limited to 60 places.

There is also an Aquathon at Lilliput from 7.30pm on Tuesday 15th June being organised by the Midland Tri Club.

On Sunday The Royal Canal Amenity Group is having a Boat Rally and will be offering people free boat rides on the canal. There will also be demonstrations on Sunday from the Kayaking Games and the Sub Aqua Club.

The Sports Zone.

For families who are interested in their children joining local clubs and learning more about their location, set up and training nights, the place to be is the Sports Zone on Sunday 20th June at Loreto College. The Sports Zone will have information areas from all the local clubs including the GAA, rugby, cricket, hockey, karate, boxing, cycling, basketball, swimming and athletics.

Kids will get a chance to try these sports and their mums, dads or guardians will have an opportunity to meet the hard working organisers and coaches at these clubs.