Hockey Player Chris Cargo Inducted into Ards and North Down Sporting Wall of Fame

Bangor's Chris Cargo has been officially inducted into Ards and North Down Borough Council's Sporting Wall of Fame. The successful international hockey player, who won 195 caps for Ireland, has joined the Borough's other sporting greats on the prestigious Wall of Fame displayed in Bangor Aurora Aquatic and Leisure Complex as well as Ards Blair Mayne Wellbeing and Leisure Complex.

Cargo was announced as the latest inductee at the Ards and North Down Sports Awards earlier this year and he has now been officially inducted after a ceremony in his hometown's leisure centre where his plaque was unveiled.

The Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Gillian McCollum, said:

"The Wall of Fame is a very prestigious award that honours the Borough's outstanding sportspeople who have reached the highest level within their chosen sport. Inductees are restricted to a maximum of one per year, and nominations are carefully considered by the Ards and North Down Sports Forum judges. I am delighted that Chris Cargo is now included on our Wall of Fame after his glittering hockey playing career."

From playing hockey at Bangor Grammar, Chris went on to win an outstanding 195 caps for Hockey Ireland, scored 28 international goals, was twice captain of the team, and is currently eighth on Ireland's all-time cap list. His club career highlights include winning two English Premier League titles for Reading Hockey Club and Hampstead & Westminster Hockey Club.

While playing for Royal Racing Club de Bruxelles, he finished runner-up in the Belgian Honour Division, and he also won a Euro Hockey League bronze medal for Reading Hockey Club. Internationally, he played in three European Championships and won Ireland's first medal with bronze in 2015. He played in the 2018 World Cup in India and was part of the first Irish Hockey team in 108 years to qualify for and then play in the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

The Ards and North Down Sports Forum, which sponsored the Wall of Fame award, exists to support the development, establishment and sustainability of local sports clubs. It is a voluntary organisation that includes members of the Council's Sports Development team as well as volunteers from affiliated sports clubs, organisations and associations that are based within Ards and North Down.

The Forum acts as a consultative body between Ards and North Down Borough Council and the sporting community, while also providing grants to support local organisations and athletes, as well as contributing to sports development in the area. For more information, visit leisureardsandnorthdown.com/sports-development