Connaught Region News - June 2024
Basketball Blitz
A Connaught Basketball Blitz took place in ATU, Sligo on 13th April. 4 men’s teams and 4 ladies teams competed on the day. It was a great day of basketball with lots of fun and excitement.
Clubs also had access to our Breast Cancer Awareness Workshop and Health Promotion stands on the day.
MATP
On the 17th April we held a MATP Development Day in St Cecilia’s Primary School. 12 athletes took part from a number of schools and services. It was fantastic to see the athletes demonstrate their skills. There were plenty of smiles and fun on the day.
Table Tennis
On the 25th April, 35 Athletes from St. Michaels school, Castlebar Table Tennis Club & Loughrea Training Centre travelled to the great facility at the ATU Mayo campus to participate in a Table Tennis competition. There were some very close games and some great skills on display.
Athletics event
On the 8th May, 58 athletes from St Michael school, Loughrea Training Centre, St. Cecilia School and Mountbellew Special Olympics Club travelled to the track at ATU Sligo to compete in both track and field events. Thanks to the volunteers that helped out and the Grammar School students who were fantastic support on the day.
Swimming event
On 22nd May, the Connaught Swimming Event took place in Leisureland, Galway. 93 athletes competed from various clubs around the region. A number of new volunteers assisted on the day which was fantastic to see. Congrats to all the athletes who competed.
Juvenile Basketball Development Day
On the 25th May, 27 athletes took part in a fun filled day of basketball at Colaiste Baile Chlair. The day began with a group warm up delivered by Heidi Finnegan of Finnegan Fitness. There was lots of music and fun! Then they broke into groups and focused on a variety of skills, delivered by coach Michelle Fahy, from the mainstream club.
They took a break for lunch and there was snacks and food provided for all.
In the afternoon they played small sided group. James O'Callaghan and Jessica Howard, two Athlete Leaders, helped out throughout the day. James helped to referee some games as he is a basketball referee.
At the end of the day, each athlete got a participation medal and a t-shirt with a goodie bag.
A special thanks to Mairead Daly for organising the fun filled day.
Mountbellew Visit
On the 21st May we had the pleasure of attending Mountbellew Tigers Special Olympics Club’s end of season barbeque.
We presented Maria Quigley with her Gold Athlete Leadership Award; Maria has been involved in the athlete leadership programme for many years and has already completed her bronze and silver award.
Great credit goes to her mentors Sr. Margaret and Theresa King for supporting her along the way.
It was an evening of positivity with great food, music and song. The Mountbellew Tigers volunteers are exceptional, they were involved in the Host Town programme prior to the 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games when they hosted Ecuador.
