Eastern Region
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Welcome to the Special Olympics Eastern Region website. Special Olympics Eastern Region provides year round Sports Training and Competition to over 2,500 people with an intellectual disability. We also provide opportunities for athletes to become involved in the programme through ALPs (the Athlete Leadership Programme), while the very valuable input of families is recognised through the Family Support Programme.
The Region has a wide focus for future development, in terms of increased athlete numbers, more community clubs offering more sports, recruiting and training active volunteers in all aspects of the programme, building programme teams, running high quality sports events. The regional boundaries extend from Balbriggan in North Co. Dublin to South Co. Dublin, Bray and along the east coast to Wicklow town.It also caters for athletes living in east Kildare town lands of Celbridge, Maynooth and Leixlip.
The Special Olympics Eastern Region Programme is administered by a dedicated core of volunteers with support from staff in the Regional Office. Much of this work is made possible through the support of our key sponsors eircom and Accenture and various fundraising initiatives.
Women in Sport
The Eastern Region has a dedicated Women in Sport Project Officer, funded by the Irish Sports Council. Click here for more information.
Sports Training & Competition
Special Olympics Eastern Region provides training and competition opportunities in 11 official summer sports,1 winter sport, 2 developing sports and the Motor Activities Training Programme (MATP).
- Alpine Skiing (Winter Sport)
- Athletics
- Aquatics
- Badminton
- Basketball
- Bocce
- Bowling
- Equestrian
- Football
- Golf
- Gymnastics (Rhythmic and Artistic)
- Table Tennis
The Special Olympics Motor Activities Training Programme (MATP) is designed for people who do not yet possess the physical and/or behavioural skills necessary to participate in official Special Olympics sports. MATP emphasises training and participation rather than competition.
The sports programme is delivered in a voluntary capacity by sports specific co-ordinators for each sport under the guidance of the Regional Development Officer - Sports. Athlete's train within their affiliated group under the guidance of coaches, all of whom work on a voluntary basis. There are events at both area and regional level throughout the year. Participation in clubs is open to any person with an intellectual disability registered with Special Olympics; training from six years of age and competing from eight years of age. There is no upper age limit. Please contact Karen Southern, Regional Developmenet Officer at: karen.southern@specialolympics.ie
ALPs (Athlete Leadership Programme)
The ALPs Programme, sponsored by Accenture, provides athletes with the opportunity to learn and apply skills which enable them to undertake a range of roles within the programme at local, regional and all Ireland level in areas such as:
- Public Relations
- Sports Administration
- Coaching
- Officiating
- Event Management
The Eastern Region programme is managed by the Regional Development Officer in conjunction with a vouluteer regional coordinator and a committee comprising of athletes and volunteers. For further information contact the Regional Development Officer, Neil O'Sullivan neil.o'sullivan@specialolympics.ie or phone 01- 8691626
Family Support Programme
Special Olympics Eastern Region recognises the importance of family members in the lives of their athletes and know that many families have been instrumental in the development of clubs in the Region.
We are interested in establishing a Regional Families group and would welcome support from families within the region. If you would like to become involved in this programme, please contact the Regional Development Officer, Neil O'Sullivan neil.o'sullivan@specialolympics.ie or phone 01- 8691626.
Volunteers
The Eastern Region Support Centre is manned by volunteers. Contact the centre at:
E: easternvolunteers@specialolympics.ie
T: 01 8691626
Hours of operation:
Daytime or Evening
Monday - Friday
Fundraising
As part of the strategic fundraising plan for this coming year we are always seeking volunteers with expertise and a willingness to become involved with the fundraising team. The money raised in the region is used to meet the day to day running costs of the regional programme.
Donations:
We appeal to groups such as Golf Clubs who are organising fundraising events during the year to consider Special Olympics Eastern Region as their charity in the coming year. If you would like to receive further information please contact Liz Callery, Regional Director at liz.callery@specialolympics.ie or phone 01 -8691626.
Sponsorship:
While eircom is the premier sponsor of Special Olympics, the Eastern Region would like to establish relationships with companies which would support the programme as "Friends of Special Olympics Eastern Region".
Initiatives include the opportunities for staff to give voluntarily of their time to work on the organisation of sports events throughout the region while the company may also provide financial support. For further information on becoming involved as a sponsor please contact Liz Callery, Regional Director at liz.callery@specialolympics.ie or phone 01-8691626.