Sligo Special Olympics Young Athletes Club wins November 2024 Gala Gifts for Clubs Cash Prize

Sligo Special Olympics Young Athlete Club formed in early 2020, after a well-attended Come and Try Day in 2019 demonstrated the need for a new club in the Sligo area focusing on children ages 4-12 years with an intellectual disability.

Mid-way through their first term, the Covid-19 pandemic occurred which ultimately led to the club having to shut down for over 2 years. With this setback happening so soon after the club’s launch, the future was uncertain. When the club returned to activity, they were lucky to still have the full cohort of their wonderful volunteers ready to welcome back their original super young athletes along with new recruits.

Since this relaunch, the club has gone from strength to strength. In the coming months, they will implement the new session plans unveiled at the relaunch of the Young Athlete Programme in November. The club looks forward to this exciting development helping its wonderful young athletes to shine.

When asked what impact the Gala Gifts prize can make, Volunteer Geraldine said: “The donation will allow us to enrich our sessions with new equipment, engaging games and other resources that promote fun, learning and physical development for our young athletes. For many of our children, these activities are not just about play – they are about building confidence, developing skills and forming meaningful connections in a joyful environment. Gala’s generosity ensures that we can make a positive impact in their lives and for that we are truly grateful. We thank them for supporting our programme and the potential of every child involved in the club.”

Volunteer Aishling said: “We would love to get some new sports equipment for our athletes. Having a wide variety of sports equipment is key to fostering skill development and engagement, especially when working with children at different ages and ability levels. By introducing a variety of sports equipment, we're opening the door for young athletes to explore different sports and discover what excites them the most. This type of exposure can be pivotal in helping them find their passion, develop a well-rounded skill set, and boost their confidence. Plus, it makes training more engaging, as they can switch things up and stay motivated.”

Athlete Evie joined the Sligo Young Athletes after the reopening of the club post-Covid, and she’s thrived since. When asked what the club means to her, Evie said: “I really like having somewhere to go to play sport with my friends where there is no pressure”. Indeed, Evie could give Usain Bolt a run for his money in the running stakes!

If you would like more information about Sligo Special Olympics Young Athletes Club here is a link to their Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100081106720939

Nomiate a club at the link below! Clubs are only eligible for the Gala Gifts for Clubs competition if they hold an active club affiliation membership with Special Olympics Ireland.