AGM 2010 Press Release

Written by Administrator Monday, 01 March 2010 13:44

2010 AGM Marks a New Beginning for HSE Community Games

The HSE Community Games announces its plans for the future at its 39th AGM today at the Hodson Bay Hotel, Athlone, Co Westmeath.

Over 300 delegates from thirty Counties throughout Ireland were in attendance to witness the election of the new 17 member Board of Directors and to air their views on all of the motions and recommendations put before them over the three day event. Among the decisions made were the introduction of a Javelin competition for Boys U/16 and Discus competition for Girls U/16. Also included was a handwriting competition for U/10 Boys and Girls.

Speaking at the AGM, Miceal Curley, President, HSE Community Games said: 
“With so many momentous occasions during 2009 inevitably there is a great excitement and expectation for the coming year. I would like to pay a special word of thanks to the Minister for Arts, Sports and Tourism Mr. Martin Cullen, TD and through him I would like to extend our thanks to his colleagues in government for their encouragement and support. Particular credit is due to the Irish Sports Council who are always very professional, sincere and supportive. We are also indebted to our title sponsor the Health Service Executive, who as well as investing in our programme, believe and share in our vision, making our work easier to implement and more effective without losing any efficiency”

AGM 2010

The Community Games partnership with the Health Service Executive reflects their shared ethos – healthy mind, healthy body. The HSE Community Games helps children and young people to learn how to live healthy lives in a fun and sociable environment.

Speaking on behalf of the Community Games sponsor the Health Service Executive, HSE, Maria Lordan Dunphy, said:
‘Recent findings from the SLAN survey have shown that 86% of us are over consuming foods high in fat and sugar, this combined with one fifth of the population being inactive is leading to increases in the levels of overweight. We have also seen a decline in community activity, falling from 89% to 55% from 2002 to 2007. This partnership gives both organisations an opportunity to work together on all of these aspects of health. Working with community organisations like the HSE Community Games supports the work of and broadens the reach of the HSE in terms of keeping our population healthy.  A healthy population is a valuable resource, both socially and economically. We have made significant achievements in 2009 by introducing further health promotion programmes and policies throughout the counties and further developing the HSE Community Games as a health promoting organisation.’

Among the many guests attending the conference were Fr. Brown, President Roscommon Community Games, Frank Dawson, County Manager, Roscommon County Council, Tony Ward, County Chairman, Roscommon County Council and Mayor of Roscommon, Marie Ahern, Irish Sports Council, Maria Lordan Dunphy, HSE, and Miriam Stack, HSE.

The Chief Executive Officer of the HSE Community Games, Fiachra O’ Mathuna in his address to the delegates said: 
‘Change continues to be a key theme for us as we continue to review and seek to improve how  and what we do across the organisation and this will remain the case for the next  twelve months too.’

The national and regional press were in attendance to receive their National HSE Community Games Media Awards 2010 for the excellent coverage afforded to HSE Community Games over the past year.  Among those receiving National Media Awards were Ciaran Mullooly, RTE, and Conor Goodman, The Irish Times. Many compliments were paid to the County Public Relations Officers who are doing excellent work, keeping the organisation in the news and ensuring that the children get the recognition they deserve.

Click here for full AGM press release.