Athletes empower themselves and inspire each other at the 2024 All-Ireland Athlete Leadership Forum

The All-Ireland Athlete Leadership Forum brought 115 athletes from across the five Special Olympics Ireland regions together at the Midlands Park Hotel, Portlaoise on Saturday 21st September to learn new skills, improve their leadership capabilities, benefit from each other’s experiences, make new friends and connect with old ones.

The event’s theme was ‘Empower yourself, inspire others’, and both elements were very much in evidence. Athletes had the chance to learn first-aid skills and Fitness Captain training – empowering  them to provide first-responder care, and to lead effective warmup sessions in a club environment, acting as role-models and trainers. 

Classroom-based workshops were held which featured presentations and discussions around healthy habits and positive lifestyle practices, getting involved in a volunteering capacity, and the current and future direction of athlete leadership. 

Throughout the event, athletes were centre-stage, playing vital roles. The Opening Address was introduced with style by athlete Andrew Byrne, while the Closing Address was delivered by Grace O’Brien, whose speech fit the occasion perfectly.

One of the highlights of the event was a panel discussion featuring four exemplary athlete leaders. George Fitzgerald talked about his journey to become an assistant coach in floorball for the World Winter Games team, while Jackie Stewart focused on her regional volunteering and leading sessions with her local Young Athletes Club. Ashwin Maliyakal explored his internship with the IRFU, his development and experience in 14 years of Special Olympics Ireland involvement, and Margaret Turley talked about her journey to become one of the Sargent Shriver Global Messengers advocating for people with intellectual disabilities on a world stage, distilling her experience of athlete leadership: “"In Special Olympics, everyone belongs.....be yourself, it doesn't matter what you think you can do or what your role is- there's a place and a role for you in Special Olympics!"

The Forum also honoured the achievements of five athletes awarded with Bronze and Gold leadership medals for amazing leadership efforts and achievements across their clubs and communities. Gary Burton, Matthew Davis and Moira Scott won bronze awards, while Andrew Byrne and Shona Connolly won gold.