Athlete Voices

The Board of Directors established an Athlete Voices Group, to facilitate athlete input and engagement.  The goal is to give a voice to athletes - a more representative voice and a more meaningful role to athletes.  Through this representative voice, athletes will support Special Olympics Ireland (SOI) management, staff and the Board, inputting into the strategic direction, policies, sport, competitions, coaching and on matters that are important to athletes. 

Athlete representation in a sports organisation is a valuable and meaningful way to engage athletes in their organisation and in its future direction.  It is a way for Special Olympics Ireland’s Programme Leaders to be in touch with athletes and for athletes to input into the organisation’s plans. A recruitment drive was launched to find 10 athletes, 2 from each region, with an inclusive application process allowing athletes to send their letter of motivation in any format they wished.

After the selection process the group identified training needs to support their role; working with Tara Toastmasters and Creatovation they undertook Public Speaking and Innovation training. The Athlete Voices group have done much work on their role and what they can offer the board and staff of Special Olympics Ireland. A two way approach strengthens the role of the Athlete Voices group; they review and feedback on agenda items which require an athletes voice as well as bringing forward any concerns or comments they might have in other areas. 
 

The Athlete Voices Working Group  are:

Emma Barrett - Connacht

Patricia Larkin - Connacht

Thomas Caulfield - Eastern 

Aoife Gillen - Eastern 

Fiona Brady - Leinster

Vacant - Leinster

George Fitzgerald - Munster

Michael Carr - Munster

Jackie Stewart - Ulster

Jack Gardiner - Ulster