Special Olympics Ireland Launches Young Athletes Programme with Transformative Results

The Special Olympics Young Athletes Launch Event, held on Saturday, showcased the extraordinary progress made in supporting children with intellectual disabilities. The event was a testament to years of dedicated work inspired by Dr. Hayley Kavanagh’s groundbreaking research, which uncovered an alarming disparity in the motor skills of children aged 4-12 with intellectual disabilities.

The findings were stark: 100% of children with intellectual disabilities in the study struggled to balance, 68% couldn’t catch a ball, 77% couldn’t kick a ball, and 40% couldn’t run effectively. These startling statistics revealed a systemic issue—but not one rooted in disability. As Dr. Kavanagh explained, “This has nothing to do with their intellectual disability but is purely down to things like an increase in sedentary behaviour and a lack of opportunity to take part in sport and physical activity.”

A Platform for Change

Hosted by Special Olympics Athlete Leader Anita Forde, the event brought together key voices, including Matt English (CEO), Karen Coventry (Director of Sport), Dr. Sarah Meegan (DCU), Declan O’Leary (Sport Ireland), and Dr. Hayley Kavanagh herself. Their insights highlighted the immense strides the programme has made, alongside deeply moving stories from past participants like Anna Kilmartin and Elliot Higgins Porter, who exemplified the transformative power of the Young Athletes Programme.

A Lifeline for Inclusion

Since its inception, the Young Athletes Programme has grown into a lifeline for inclusion. Now active in 37 groups across Ireland and Northern Ireland (over 700 children are registered with Special Olympics to date), addressing critical gaps in their fundamental motor skills.

Interestingly Dr. Hayley Kavanagh’s research also revealed that coaches often overestimate the locomotive and object-control skills of young athletes by as much as 33%. In response, Special Olympics Ireland developed an accredited Young Athlete Coaching Training programme, in partnership with Sport Ireland Coaching Unit, to equip coaches with the tools needed to close these gaps, offering fundamental training in supporting and assessing children’s progress. 

The programme also prioritizes empowering parents, recognizing the significant impact they have on their children’s physical literacy. Through ‘Play Shop,’ created in collaboration with the University of Alberta, parents can now gain hands-on knowledge and resources, including activity bags filled with tools to encourage playful learning at home. Since this began, research has shown significant improvement in children whose parents are supported to become educated, and involved in their children's physical literacy.

Real Lives, Real Transformations

The stories shared during the event demonstrated the profound impact of this initiative.

Deborah Kilmartin, whose daughter Anna participated in the programme, spoke emotionally about its impact:
“We played a lot of sports, and it was important that Anna was involved in sports. The things it has done for her—it has given her the foundation to play sport. When she left Young Athletes, she was sports-ready. It has filled Anna with so much confidence, and her two sisters both volunteer with Special Olympics. It gives them such joy—they wouldn’t miss it. Anna plays so many sports now, we need an Excel sheet to manage it all!”

Anna herself proudly added, “I play basketball, football, horse riding, and rugby. I love it—being with my mum who helps me. I like playing and seeing my friends.”

Special Olympics Coach Louise Grant shared a similarly touching account:
“We have seen huge changes in children. We had a boy who wouldn’t come into the hall, wouldn’t even make eye contact. Now he is playing basketball with his friends—he isn’t even wearing his noise-protection earphones anymore. The confidence it gives them is incredible. The routine is so important—these kids are getting their stuff ready the night before; they’re excited to get to their clubs. The confidence change is huge.”

A New Resource for Coaches

The event also saw the launch of the Young Athletes Activities Guide, a comprehensive tool designed to support coaches in delivering engaging, proven activities to help children improve their motor skills in a fun and inclusive way.

Looking Ahead

In her closing speech, Karen Coventry, Director of Sport for Special Olympics Ireland, praised the progress achieved and shared her hope for the future:
“I am so proud of what has been achieved here by Hayley and by all of you. As Hayley said, all of this is completely preventable. We have come so far, and it is down to each and every one of you—coaches and parents—working with us in the clubs to support the children! This research and future research are so important. It has shown us what needs to be done, and our work continues.”

She ended with a vision of continued progress:
“I cannot wait to come back here in a few years and see these numbers come down and really show you what you have all achieved.”

Making an Impact Across Ireland

The Young Athletes Programme has already touched the lives of over 700 children and countless families across the Island of Ireland. By addressing preventable barriers to participation, it ensures that every child has the chance to build confidence, develop skills, and experience the joy of sport.

Get Involved

The Young Athletes Activities Guide is available for download

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, and making a real and lasting impact in your community please visit: https://www.specialolympics.ie/volunteer/becoming-a-volunteer