Ireland's New National Youth Fitness Competition

About sidea school fitness games

Ireland's New National Youth Fitness Competition

After an incredible debut event at the National Sports Campus, the Sidea School Fitness Games are expanding nationwide for the 2026/2027 school term.

What started as a hugely successful pilot event is now becoming a national movement — bringing schools, students, and communities together through fitness, teamwork, and competition.

The event is inclusive to all abilities.

more than a competition

A Competition Built for the Next Generation

The School Fitness Games are designed to inspire young people across Ireland to embrace a lifelong journey of physical activity, confidence, and teamwork.

Students compete in teams of two, working together to complete a series of fitness challenges as fast as possible. The format promotes:

  • Teamwork & communication
  • Goal setting & motivation
  • Physical fitness & resilience
  • Positive competition
  • Healthy lifestyle habits

This is more than just a competition — it’s a nationwide initiative to encourage schools to build stronger, healthier, and more active students.

going nationwide

Nationwide Events Across Ireland

For the 2026/2027 season, the Games are going national.

Regional qualifying events will take place across Ireland, meaning the School Fitness Games will soon be coming to a town near you.

Schools will compete locally for the chance to qualify for the National Finals, where Ireland’s top school fitness teams will battle for championship titles.

  • Teamwork & communication
  • Goal setting & motivation
  • Physical fitness & resilience
  • Positive competition
  • Healthy lifestyle habits
Buy tickets to

The 2026 events

National
Basketball Arena

23rd & 24th November 2026
Buy tickets
for university students only

Kingfisher fitness club, University of Galway

26th November 2026

Kingfisher fitness club, University of Galway

26th & 27th November 2026

ALSAA

30th November 2026
how it works

The Challenge

Teams of two will race to complete six fitness stations as quickly as possible:

Junior

  • Wall Balls - 40 Reps
  • Air Bike - 500M
  • Lunges - 20 Reps
  • Air Ski- 500M
  • Air Rower - 500M
  • Run - 500M

Senior

  • Wall Balls - 50 Reps
  • Air Bike - 600M
  • Lunges - 30 Reps
  • Air Ski- 600M
  • Air Rower - 600M
  • Run - 600M

The challenge is designed to test:

  • Endurance
  • Teamwork
  • Determination
  • Consistency
  • Communication under pressure

Every second counts.

compete to top the leaderboard

Competitive Leaderboards

Schools and students will compete for positions on multiple live leaderboards:

  • School Leaderboards
  • Team Leaderboards (Top 80 teams only)
  • County Leaderboards

Who will become the fittest school in Ireland?

why take part?

Why Schools Should Get Involved

By entering your school into the Sidea School Fitness Games, you are giving students an exciting new opportunity to:

  • Build confidence through fitness
  • Develop teamwork and leadership skills
  • Improve physical and mental wellbeing
  • Represent their school and county
  • Engage in positive competition
  • Stay active in a fun and motivating environment

The Games create an atmosphere where every student can challenge themselves, support others, and be part of something bigger.

take part
Kingfisher Sports Centre, University of Galway
Thursday, 26th November | 5–9pm
Buy tickets
University of Galway Gaelic Games Presents:

SIDEA Games:
Battle of the Clubs

Who’s the fittest sports club at University of Galway?

Get ready as University of Galway sports clubs go head-to-head in the ultimate fitness challenge!

Test your strength, endurance and teamwork through running, rowing, skiing, cycling, sandbag lunges and wall balls.

All sports clubs, students and staff are welcome!

Who does this fundraiser support?

This event is a fundraiser supporting University of Galway’s four Gaelic Games clubs: Men’s Football, Ladies Football, Hurling and Camogie.

Grab a partner, represent your club and compete for the ultimate bragging rights!'

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