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What is Community Games? Starting young with Sonia O'Sullivan in Athlone IT
Aldi Community Games is an independent voluntary organisation, operating in local communities throughout Ireland. The organisation aims to provide opportunities for children and young people aged 6-16 years to develop active healthy lives in a safe environment through experiencing a wide range of sporting and cultural activities. Community spirit and co-operation is fostered and encouraged. The organisation believes that every young person should have the opportunity to take part in sports and art in their local community and grow up understanding how good it makes you feel when you are active and healthy.
The organisation caters for children aged 6-16 years throughout 28 counties. It is not entirely sports based, there is a culture and arts section so children get an opportunity to experience a wide range of activities. The activities are divided into two categories - individual and team. Individual events include Art, Model Making, Cycling, Gymnastics, Swimming, Judo, Athletics track and field events- specifically Shot Putt, Discus, Javelin, Hurdles, Ball Throw, Long Jump and Cycling. Team events include Badminton, Basketball, Camogie, Chess, Choir, Draughts, Debating, Futsal, Gaelic Football, Handball, Hurling, Rounders, Rugby, Tag Rugby, Soccer (Indoor & Outdoor), Spikeball, Table Tennis, Table Quiz, Pitch & Putt, Variety and of course all the Talent Events! Aldi Community Games has 160,000 children and apx 20,000 volunteers in about 575 areas throughout 28 counties. The aim of Aldi Community Games is to encourage and introduce a love of sport and culture. |
How and Why did Community Games begin?
Sonia O'Sullivan in Athlone IT
Community Games was founded in 1967 to provide young people with the means and the opportunity to utilise their leisure time in a healthy and productive manner.
The Organisation is child-centred and the focus is on participation rather than winning. Children compete in friendly rivalry, in a fun and healthy way.
To qualify for the National Festivals individual competitors must first compete at an area, then at County and sometimes at Provincial level. 7,000 children compete in the National Festivals every year.
Many National Sporting and Cultural heroes have at one stage or another partaken in Aldi Community Games - including: Sonia O’Sullivan, Susan Smith-Walsh, Karen Shinkins, Mark Carroll, Niall Quinn, Catherina McKiernan, Eamon Coughlan, Denis Irwin, Terry McHugh, Stephen Roche, John Treacy, Roy Keane, Stephen Staunton, Ruby Walsh, Michael Carruth, Adrian O’Connor, Sarah Kelleher, Gary O’Toole, John Donnelly (The Saw Doctors), Maeve McGrath (Fair City), Sinead Jennings (World Rowing Champion), Patricia Breen (World Draughts Champion), Emily Maher (Youth Olympics Champion), Noel Mannion, Sinead Jennings, All-Ireland Hurler Brian Whelehan, Armagh All-Star Kiernan McGeeney along with rugby stars Brian O'Driscoll, Ronan O'Gara, Peter Stringer, John Hayes, Keith Woods, Paul O'Connell, Tommy Bowe, Donnacha O'Callaghan and Frankie Sheahan, Popstars Westlife and Jedward, Hollywood star Colin Farrell, Niall Breslin (Bressie), Una Hayes (of The Saturdays), Niall Horan of One Direction, Grainne Murphy (Olympic Swimmer), Sarah Lavin (European Hurdles Champion) and Donna and Joseph McCaul of Euro Vision Fame!
The Organisation is child-centred and the focus is on participation rather than winning. Children compete in friendly rivalry, in a fun and healthy way.
To qualify for the National Festivals individual competitors must first compete at an area, then at County and sometimes at Provincial level. 7,000 children compete in the National Festivals every year.
Many National Sporting and Cultural heroes have at one stage or another partaken in Aldi Community Games - including: Sonia O’Sullivan, Susan Smith-Walsh, Karen Shinkins, Mark Carroll, Niall Quinn, Catherina McKiernan, Eamon Coughlan, Denis Irwin, Terry McHugh, Stephen Roche, John Treacy, Roy Keane, Stephen Staunton, Ruby Walsh, Michael Carruth, Adrian O’Connor, Sarah Kelleher, Gary O’Toole, John Donnelly (The Saw Doctors), Maeve McGrath (Fair City), Sinead Jennings (World Rowing Champion), Patricia Breen (World Draughts Champion), Emily Maher (Youth Olympics Champion), Noel Mannion, Sinead Jennings, All-Ireland Hurler Brian Whelehan, Armagh All-Star Kiernan McGeeney along with rugby stars Brian O'Driscoll, Ronan O'Gara, Peter Stringer, John Hayes, Keith Woods, Paul O'Connell, Tommy Bowe, Donnacha O'Callaghan and Frankie Sheahan, Popstars Westlife and Jedward, Hollywood star Colin Farrell, Niall Breslin (Bressie), Una Hayes (of The Saturdays), Niall Horan of One Direction, Grainne Murphy (Olympic Swimmer), Sarah Lavin (European Hurdles Champion) and Donna and Joseph McCaul of Euro Vision Fame!
How can I become part of the Community Games?
Rounders in Athlone IT in May 2013
Aldi Community Games welcomes anyone who wants to become a volunteer (please be aware that you must be Garda Vetted first!). It’s a great way to make new friends, develop new abilities, interests and skills, try out new activities and get involved in your local community.
You can give something back to your community, while at the same time helping children and young people in a positive way. Aldi Community Games want to hear from you. Regardless of your age, your experience or the amount of time you can devote to Aldi Community Games, you can become involved in a way that suits you.
Aldi Community Games need a wide range of people to:
Volunteering with Aldi Community Games means you can:
To get involved, your first step is to get in touch with a County Secretary
Or you can call the Community Games headquarters to be connected to a Development Officer on 090 6433388 or email us at admin@communitygames.ie
You can give something back to your community, while at the same time helping children and young people in a positive way. Aldi Community Games want to hear from you. Regardless of your age, your experience or the amount of time you can devote to Aldi Community Games, you can become involved in a way that suits you.
Aldi Community Games need a wide range of people to:
- Coach, train or manage local teams in sporting and cultural activities
- Help with committee work e.g.: Chairperson, Treasurer, Secretary, Public Relations Officer, etc.
- Help organize and steward local events
- Help with local fund-raising and sponsorship
- Help with PR and development at local and county level
- Transport teams and equipment
Volunteering with Aldi Community Games means you can:
- Make new friends and have fun!
- Give something back to your local community
- Encourage children and young people in a positive, healthy way
- Help to foster community spirit
- Update your skills by training e.g. coaching, PR, committee skills, etc
- Interact with people from all over the country
- Develop your abilities and skills
- Get experience for your Curriculum Vitae
- Enjoy a sense of achievement and satisfaction knowing you are making a difference
- Set up a Community Games Area in your community
To get involved, your first step is to get in touch with a County Secretary
Or you can call the Community Games headquarters to be connected to a Development Officer on 090 6433388 or email us at admin@communitygames.ie
