Community Games Another Sucessful Year
Updated : Aug 17, 2009
The August National Finals of the HSE Community Games have got off to a flying start in its new venue, Athlone Institute of Technology. Oltan the Owl, the HSE Community Games mascot, has been on hand throughout the August National Finals to cheer on all the children who have participated from counties across Ireland. The final weekend of the HSE Community Games National Finals will be held from the 21st to the 23rd of August, 2009.
“The May National Finals went very well and marked the first time they took place in the new state of the art facilities at Athlone Institute of Technology. We welcome all the participants, their parents and coaches to the new home of the HSE Community Games National Finals in Athlone Institute of Technologyâ€, said Miceal Curley, President, HSE Community Games. “The move to Athlone IT with larger facilities allows us to accommodate even more children and give them an opportunity to participate in friendly competition in a fun atmosphere.â€
The National Finals, which are spread over three weekends throughout the summer, are the culmination of many months of hard work and preparation by parents, coaches, organisers, volunteers and of course all the children who take part. Over 6,000 children from all around the Country take part in the August National Finals with some 600 volunteers and organisers.
Over 500,000 children and young people from across Ireland take part in the HSE Community Games every year making it an essential part of the Irish summer.
“The HSE Community Games are a perfect opportunity for families to get out and get active in their local community. We offer a range of activities for children and young people. We focus on the fun that taking part gives the participants. We ensure a healthy approach is taken to every aspect of what we do and that children make friends in a relaxed sociable environment. In addition, at the National Finals children get to make friends with others from different parts of the Country, as well as their own county.†said Fiachra O Mathuna, CEO, HSE Community Games.
The HSE and Community Games partnership highlights the importance of healthy lifestyle choices for all the family. Health promotion staff from the HSE will be on hand at the National Finals providing helpful tips for eating well and staying active. This year, a special healthy smoothie has been created for the HSE Community Games for all the participants to enjoy. Smoking cessation officers are also available to talk to anyone wishing to stop smoking, or to get advice on deterring their children from picking up the habit.
“The HSE is very proud of our partnership with the Community Gamesâ€, said Catherine Murphy, Assistant National Director of Population Health, HSE. “The motto of the Games is ‘A healthy mind in a healthy body’, a sentiment which reflects the health promotion aim of the HSE. By providing health promotion staff at the HSE Community Games National Finals, we hope to offer parents and children advice on eating well, keeping active and staying healthy. Through initiatives like ‘Little Steps’ and ‘Get Ireland Active’, we offer tips and advice for all the family to look after their health by making small changes such as choosing healthier options, and increasing activity levels. The HSE Community Games are a great way for children to stay healthy, while making new friends and enjoying themselvesâ€.
Activities in the HSE Community Games are divided into team and individual categories, Cycling, Gymnastics, Swimming, Judo, Athletics track and field events- specifically Shot Putt, Discus, Javelin, Walk, Hurdles, Ball Throw, and Long Jump are competed for individually. Team events include Basketball, Camogie, Gaelic Football, Handball, Hockey, Hardcourt Tennis, Hurling, Rounders, Rugby, Tag Rugby, Soccer (Indoor and Outdoor), Pitch and Putt, Variety and Olympic Handball.
The HSE Community Games is a voluntary organisation operating through local communities at Area, County, Provincial and National level with over 500,000 participants, 20,000 volunteers and 1.3 million supporters. Results from the National Finals can be accessed from the website, www.communitygames.ie. The website will be updated regularly throughout the finals, with the results from each weekend’s activities. For more information about HSE Community Games please visit www.communitygames.ie or www.hse.ie.
