Highlights of 2024 for Special Olympics Connaught
2024 was a year of achievement, new beginnings, and positive developments for Connaught Special Olympics.
Success for Team Connaught at Ireland Winter Games
Connaught floorball teams fought fiercely and placed strongly, with a female team winning silver, and male teams winning gold and bronze – testament to the talent, hard work and team spirit that makes Team Connaught what it is!
Connaught Volunteers Honoured at Volunteer Awards
The tireless effort and invaluable contribution of Connaught athletes was recognised at the 2024 Special Olympics Volunteer Awards. Connaught volunteers were honoured through the Ireland Winter Games Award (Des Grealis), the Leader of Volunteers Award (Karen Roland), the Most innovative Club Award (Athlone Special Olympics Club), the Connaught Youth Volunteer Award (Ornagh Nyland), and the Connaught Region Volunteer Award, a posthumous award recognising the many years of dedicated service by Máire Allen.
Gold Athlete Leadership Award
The first Gold Athlete Leadership Award for a Connaught athlete was achieved in 2024 by Maria Quigley, of Mountbellew Tigers Special Olympics Club. Congratulations to Maria for this great achievement!
Inter-Club Activity
2024 saw increased inter-club activity, as clubs joined forced to compete, socialise, and build links with each other! Bocce, Swimming, and Equestrian sports were all involved.
New Beginnings and New Developments
2024 was a year of firsts in many ways - a new inclusive Badminton club was set up in Galway, the Galway Lawn Tennis Club; the first Juvenile Basketball event was held, a new office location was secured for the administration and headquarters of Special Olympics Connaught, and club support and engagement visits were expanded, including support for clubs with the JustGo system.
