Oat to impress as young Derry athletes shine at Flahavan’s Cross Country League Final

The 2025–26 Flahavan’s Athletics NI Primary School Cross Country League reached its exciting finale as hundreds of young runners from across Northern Ireland came together to battle it out for top honours, and a coveted place on the Flahavan’s Athletics NI Junior Endurance Squad.

The final took place at Mallusk Playing Fields on Friday, February 27, where pupils lined up for the individual boys’ and girls’ races. After a thrilling day of competition, Jackson Nellins from DH Christie Memorial Primary School, Coleraine and Sadbh Callan from Broadbridge Primary School, Eglinton crossed the line first in their respective races to claim victory. 

Almost 300 athletes from 70 schools competed at the final, with the top 20 boys and top 20 girls securing selection Junior Endurance Squad. Successful athletes will now benefit from year-round coaching and development opportunities designed to nurture their endurance, confidence and long-term athletic potential.

The renowned league once again demonstrated the strength of grassroots athletics, with more than 6,790 pupils from 400 schools taking part across the three rounds. Accumulating points throughout the season, Stranmillis Primary School, Belfast and St John’s Primary School, Moy emerged as joint top-performing boys’ school, while St John’s Primary School, Middlestown claimed the title for best-performing girls’ school.

Supporting the league throughout the season as a Flahavan’s and Athletics NI ambassador was Belfast-based athlete and NI 100m National U17 Record Holder, Ben Sykes, who attended the final to cheer on competitors and celebrate their achievements. As part of their prize, the winning schools will receive a special visit from Ben, giving pupils the chance to meet and celebrate with an elite athlete who has built his athletic career through a similar path.

READ NEXT: IN PICTURES: Silver Jubilee celebrations as Doire Trasna marks 25 years in the Waterside
 
Speaking at the final, Ben said: “The standard of racing this year has been outstanding. The commitment and enthusiasm shown by every pupil, whether they were running at the final or earlier rounds, has been brilliant to see.

Events like this are where futures begin. There’s huge potential among these runners, and I imagine that we’ll see many of them progress to great things in the years ahead.”

The girls’ team from Broadbridge Primary School, Eglinton finished as the top-performing school in the North West region across the 2025–26 Flahavan’s Athletics NI Primary School Cross Country League.

Now in its 15th consecutive year, the partnership between Flahavan’s and Athletics NI continues to play a vital role in supporting young athletes at the very start of their sporting journeys. Alongside competition, the league promotes positive habits around movement, wellbeing and nutrition, helping young pupils understand how proper fuel can support both training and everyday activity.

Flahavan’s, is the oldest family-owned business in Ireland and has been milling oats for over 240 years. Through its sponsorship of the league, the company champions the role of nourishing food in active lifestyles, encouraging young people to develop healthy routines that can support both performance and long-term wellbeing. Its range of oat-based products, from traditional porridge and ready-to-eat cereals to flapjacks and oat drinks, is designed to provide wholesome, great-tasting fuel for busy, active lives.

Pictured is Girl’s Race winner Sadhbh Callan (L) from Broadbridge Primary School, Eglinton, alongside Flahavan’s representative James Whelan at the final of the Flahavan’s Primary School Cross Country League.

James Whelan, Marketing Executive for International Markets at Flahavan’s, said: “It was fantastic to attend the league final and to see so many young athletes give it their all on the day. The atmosphere was brilliant, and it was a real pleasure to present the medals and celebrate the achievements of this year’s winners.

"Events like this highlight why Flahavan’s is so proud to support the Athletics NI Cross Country League. Encouraging young people to stay active and to understand the importance of good nutrition goes hand in hand with sport.

Pictured is Boy’s Race winner Jackson Nellins (R) from DH Christie Memorial Primary School, Coleraine alongside Flahavan’s representative James Whelan at the final of the Flahavan’s Primary School Cross Country League.

"Every pupil who reached the final should be extremely proud, taking part at this level is a huge achievement, and we wish them every success as they continue their sporting journeys.”
 
For more information on Flahavan’s oat-based products and recipe inspiration to help fuel training, follow @FlahavansUK on Facebook and Instagram.