Groundbreaking year for Young Athletes as 4 Young Athletes Festivals held in 2025
2025 was a landmark year for the Special Olympics Ireland Young Athletes Programme, as Young Athletes Festivals were held for the first time. Four events covering each geographical Special Olympics region were held, with 150 athletes being introduced to the joy and fun of movement in ways that will have genuinely positive impacts on their future development and movement skills across all areas of life and activity.
Ulster Young Athletes Festival
The Ulster Young Athletes Festival took place in Antrim Forum Leisure Centre. Young athletes from across Ulster came together to play, laugh, and shine, celebrating sport, friendship, and pure joy. From exciting games to big smiles and well earned medals, the energy was unforgettable.
Eastern and Leinster Regions Young Athletes Festival
The Eastern and Leinster Regions Young Athletes Festival on Saturday 7th June at TU Dublin Blanchardstown was an amazing celebration of movement, community, and potential! Children taking part in our ground-breaking Young Athletes programme took part in fun-filled activities that teach a firm foundation of movement and fitness skills to set them up for a lifetime of sport, together with their friends and family cheering on!
Munster Young Athletes Festival
The Young Athletes Festival in Cork was full of energy, smiles and teamwork. Through a series of fun activity stations, children aged 4 to 12 had the chance to explore, play and build their confidence in a supportive environment. The Young Athletes programme introduces children with an intellectual disability to the joy of movement and sport, creating opportunities for every child to shine.
Connaught Young Athletes Festival
The first Special Olympics Connaught Young Athletes Festival took place on Saturday, 21st June at the Kingfisher, University of Galway. The day was a huge success, with over 30 young athletes taking part in a variety of fun games and sports.
A big thank you to Galway Special Olympics Young Athletes Club for hosting and organising the event alongside the Connaught regional team, and thank you to all the athletes and their families for travelling to Galway from the other clubs, Sligo, East Mayo and Ballinasloe. Thanks also to all the wonderful volunteers who supported this event on the day and in the lead-up.
The medal ceremony was particularly special — with heartfelt thanks to our guests from the local Garda station and Renmore Barracks for presenting the awards. It was a day the athletes will always remember.
About the Young Athletes Programme
The Young Athletes Programme is a play and sports activity programme for children aged 4 to 12 with an intellectual disability. It gives them the chance to learn and develop physical skills in a fun and supportive environment, so they can access sport, be part of a team, and look forward to an active future. Many children lack the basic motor skills needed to participate in sport. This programme helps bridge that gap and opens the door to a more inclusive sporting community.