Pupils discover pigeon racing in Sint-Lenaarts

Pupils discover pigeon racing in Sint-Lenaarts

The pigeon fanciers’ club ‘Onze Duif’ from Sint-Lenaarts (Brecht) is the first Belgian fanciers’ club to have introduced primary school children to the sport of pigeon racing. In this way, the Royal Belgian Pigeon Federation aims to make the sport more popular again among young people, who often no longer know any pigeon fanciers. “I held a pigeon for the first time today – it was really exciting,” says pupil Lio.

The Year 6 pupils from De Schakel primary school in Sint-Lenaarts were invited today to the Onze Duif club, where they heard stories about pigeon racing, as well as about the birds themselves. They learnt about how a pigeon is born and what it eats, and also about the vital role played by pigeons during the First and Second World Wars. One pigeon once saved 1,500 lives (1,000 soldiers and 500 residents of an Italian village) by delivering a message in time to prevent the village from being bombed.

“Decades ago, the father, uncle or grandfather of these pupils was a pigeon fancier,” says Jos Vrints of Onze Duif. “Young people automatically came into contact with the sport back then. But now there are hardly any pigeon lofts left. The children have hardly any other opportunity to get to know the sport, which is why we are organising this day.”

Pupil Lio Hermans-Peeters thought the explanation was cool, and it wasn’t a completely unfamiliar world to her. “My dad has about 50 to 60 pigeons too. He doesn’t take part in races, but he does let them fly around. I might want to do that later on as well. I already help out with feeding and watering them. At first I was a bit scared of pigeons, but now I’m feeling much more at ease.”

‘I held a pigeon for the first time today. That was really exciting, because I always think they’re going to peck me with their sharp teeth.’

Student Rosie Rombouts also found the visit to the pigeon loft very interesting. "Especially that story about how pigeons were useful during wars. And I also think it’s really impressive that they could find their way back home, over distances of thousands of kilometres. I found holding a pigeon nerve-wracking, because I was scared it would poo in my hands. I think they’re cute animals, but I wouldn’t want to be a pigeon fancier myself."

Flyer about the youth programme

The pupils were given a goodie bag by the Royal Belgian Pigeon Fanciers’ Association, containing a key ring, a notebook and a bilingual leaflet providing all the information about the special youth programme and the support available to young pigeon fanciers.