HSE COMMUNITY GAMES

National Finals Press Release

Written by Administrator Tuesday, 01 June 2010 16:41

Children from all over Ireland come together for the HSE Community Games National Finals

Sunday 30th May, 2010: With support from Oltan the Owl, the HSE Community Games mascot, the first weekend of the HSE Community Games National Finals got off to a successful and great start at Athlone Institute of Technology.  This was followed by two days of friendly competition by some 3,000 children from all around the country who were supported by over 600 volunteers and organisers. Families  and friends from all over Ireland travelled to the National Finals to offer their support and encouragement to the 3000 children participating over the weekend in various cultural and sporting activities such as athletics, table tennis, soccer, chess, talent competitions, model making and art.  Over 200,000 young people from across Ireland take part in the HSE Community Games every year.  This is the 42nd year of the HSE Community Games ensuring that these Games are an essential part of the Irish summer. The August National Finals of the HSE Community Games will take place from the 14th to the 16th and 20th to the 22nd of August, 2010.

Adding excitement to the HSE Community Games National Finals on Saturday, Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport, Mary Hanafin, TD, interacted with participants, parents, volunteers complimenting all involved for the range and quality of competitions particularly mentioning the impressive cultural pursuits. Enjoying a tour of the Projects competition, and witnessing Group music and the Choir competitions she also acknowledged the effort that went into each individual and team triumph and those whose efforts brought them this far.

“The first weekend of the HSE Community Games National Finals has proved to be a great success and we look forward to our next two weekends in August.” said Miceal Curley, President, HSE Community Games. “As usual we enjoyed wonderful competition in a true spirit of friendly rivalry with a significant social aspect. We are as always thrilled to have run a safe and successful weekend and we thank all of our participants, supporters and volunteers for their contribution to what has been another exceptional event in our history.”

Every year, the HSE Community Games works to promote healthy living across many aspects of life including physical activity, healthy eating, and substance use smoking cessation. The recent “Little Steps” campaign run by the HSE and safefood promotes healthy lifestyle choices by eating more fruit and vegetables, cooking healthy meals at home as a family and being moderately physically active for at least 60 minutes a day. Further information about being active and eating well is available on www.littlesteps.eu.

Dr Nazih Eldin, Head of Health Promotion, Dublin North East, HSE, said “The HSE is once again proud to work in partnership with the HSE Community Games who play a key role in promoting physical activity and healthy behaviour to our nation’s young people. The work of the Health Promotion Service of the HSE, which focuses on empowering people to make healthier choices, has been greatly enhanced by our partnership with the HSE Community Games.”

The HSE Community Games is a voluntary organisation operating through local communities at Area, County, Provincial and National level with over 300,000 participants, and 20,000 volunteers. For more information about HSE Community Games or results from the National finals please visit www.communitygames.ie.

Editor’s Notes
• The Health Service Executive (HSE) is responsible for promoting and protecting the health of the entire population of the country. The HSE became the sponsor of the Community Games in 2006 as the Games are an important initiative in enabling people to live healthy and fulfilled lives. 
• The HSE Community Games provide opportunities for young people to participate in physical, social and cultural activities, to make new friends and experience new and exciting activities. They also help foster positive physical and mental health for all involved from the children participating to their parents and siblings and the volunteers and community. 
• 750 communities in Ireland, North and South, participate in the HSE Community Games. 
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Media Contact:

Gillian Brosnan, Event and Marketing Officer, HSE Community Games
P: 086 3247709 E: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it