The first round of evaluations for the Steps to Health were completed in October. Congratulations to all the Areas who made submissions, especially to those who achieved one of the quality standards. The following Areas have been awarded a ‘Steps to Health’ quality standard:
GOLD

• Ballymahon/Forgney, Co. Longford

SILVER

• Bruff, Co.Limerick
• Quin-Clooney, Co. Clare

BRONZE

• Rock Street/Cahersloee, Co. Kerry
• St. Brigids Newbridge, Co. Kildare
• Ardagh, Co. Mayo
• Ashbourne, Co. Meath
• Ballinabrackey, Co. Meath
• Boardsmill, Co. Meath
• Duleek, Co. Meath
• Slane, Co. Meath
• Ballaghaderreen, Co. Roscommon
• St. Feichins, Co. Sligo
• Glynn Barntown, Co. Wexford

Areas achieving Gold, Silver or Bronze quality standards will be able to use their ‘Steps to Health’ quality standard logo following the Area Awards on the 28th November. The ‘Steps to Health’ quality standard will also contribute to the point’s allocation for the Area Awards, as follows:

• Gold: 315 points,
• Silver: 150 points,
• Bronze: 75 points.

 The following Areas are currently working towards achieving one of the quality standards

• Newtowncashel, Co.Longford
• Clonard, Co. Meath
• Rathkenny & Castletown, Co. Meath
• Ratoath/Rathbeggan, Co. Meath
• Skyrne, Co. Meath
• Walterstown and Johnstown, Co. Meath

The next round of submissions will be evaluated in January 2016.

If your Area wants to get involved please click on  Steps to Health  or email Caitríona at caitriona@communitygames.ie or phone 086 7953564. 

The Regional Development Officer (RDO) will be based initially in Dublin with responsibility for Counties Dublin, Louth and Wicklow.
 
The RDO’s role is to increase participation numbers of young people to experience a wide range of sporting and cultural activities. Through recruiting, training, supporting and encouraging volunteers the RDO will increase the number of participants and of local volunteers. The RDO will support and strengthen committee structures in Areas and Counties.
 
We are looking for a committed enthusiastic individual with the capacity to work with, influence and motivate a range of volunteers, partners and agencies.
 
The RDO will have excellent communication, organization, presentation and negotiation skills. In addition the RDO will have a good overall education, relevant experience and a good understanding of sporting and cultural activities. The ability to work on one’s own initiative as well as within a team is also a key requirement.
 
 
Responsibilities:
 
Support local Area and County committees with strengthening operational structures, implementing funding programmes, recruiting and training of current and new volunteers and ensuring each Area and County is a viable and sustainable entity.

• Working with Community Games volunteers in promoting, developing and increasing participation numbers.
• Promoting Community Games in national/secondary school, youth and community groups.
• Recruiting new people, particularly parents, as volunteers to establish new Community Games Areas in their own communities
• Re-establishing Community Games Areas which have lapsed.
• Organizing public Information Events/Open Days in conjunction with Counties and or Areas
• Developing appropriate initiatives  and programmes to get young people involved in sporting & cultural activities
• Arranging and or attending meetings with various community and statutory groups, LSPs and sports organisations to foster and maintain positive working relationships  to deliver joint  participation programmes
• Monitoring and tracking the outcomes of activities and reporting monthly
• Any other duties as reasonably directed

 
 
Requirements:
·         A third Level Qualification is desirable but not essential

• Knowledge of working in the Voluntary Sector
• Knowledge of Sporting and Cultural activity
• Ability to work as part of a team
• Ability to co-operate professionally with staff and volunteers
• Have a record of achieving targets
• Be able to work on own initiative
• Excellent communication skills, including, the ability to write clear and concise reports and proposals
• Ability to plan, implement and evaluate projects
• Computer literate, organised & proficient in MS Word, Access & Excel
• Excellent communication skills for working with staff and volunteers

 
 
Conditions:

• Contract: The successful candidate will be offered a 12 month contract which will be renewable subject to satisfactory performance and funding
• Remuneration:  The salary for the position will be between €26,000 - €30,000 per annum, depending on relevant qualifications and experience
• Working hours: The ability to work flexible hours including evenings and weekends is essential, as well as the ability to work without close supervision and to communicate with all sections of the HSE Community Games
• Expenses: Vouched expenses related to the position will be paid monthly in arrears
• Training: The RDO will be provided with in-house and external training where necessary
• Travel: The RDO will require the use of a car and have a full driving license as the position involves extensive travel
• Location: The RDO will be located initially in Dublin.

 
​Applications addressed to John Byrne, Chief Executive Officer, 20 Inish Carraig House, Golden Island, Athlone, Co. Westmeath or johnbyrne@communitygames.ie must be received by Friday, January 15th 2016.

Community Games revealed its new logo on 28th November 2015 at the National Area, Volunteer and Media Awards in Mullingar Park Hotel.  To find out more and to download the logo in high quality, please click here. 

Community Games unveils new logo at their Annual Area, Volunteer and Media Awards in Mullingar
On Saturday 28th November, over 300 Community Games volunteers from all over Ireland attended the National Area, Volunteer and Media Awards in the Park Hotel, Mullingar.   
The Awards Ceremony now in its 23rd year is one of Community Games’ most celebrated and prestigious events.  Speaking at the event, Gerard Davenport (President) said:

“Volunteers at Area level are the cornerstone on which our organisation is built on and these Awards were established to reward and acknowledge the tremendous work of all our volunteers at grassroots level across the four Provinces. Tonight we welcome 26 Adult and 24 Youth Volunteers, 27 Areas and 17 Small Areas, all here to accept our expression of thanks and gratitude for their hard work, dedication and commitment to supporting Community Games in their local communities throughout the island of Ireland.”

The night also marked a very special occasion for Community Games with the unveiling of the new corporate logo.  Community Games in association with the HSE delivers “Endless Possibilities” for both participants, communities and volunteers and this message is now reflected in its corporate identity.
​
For the first time, the Media Awards were held in conjunction with the Area and Volunteer Awards.  The emphasis on the 2015 Media Awards was for PROs to be recognised for promoting Community Games both online and offline. Bernie Brennan, PR and Marketing Director said:  
 
“The times are a-changing and Community Games has always moved with the times. There is a tremendous amount of exceptional work being done at a local level, especially in terms of Social Media engagement and that is why this year we have decided to have an inaugural Area Social Media Award.”
 
Overall Area Winners on the night were Ballymahon Forgney, from Longford – A first for this very active community.  Ballymahon Forgney also received the Gold Quality Standard in the Steps to Health Awards.
 
Athenry Community Games, Clare FM, Indedpedent.ie, Carlow Nationalist, Mayo News, Roscommon Herald and Donegal Democrat all won Media Awards on the night.  Michael Crossan of Donegal won the overall PRO Award.
 
As testament to Community Games’ commitment to move with the times and to be more environmentally aware, 2015 also marked the transition to an Online Registration System for all participants and volunteers. 
 
As Community Games gears up for its 2017 Jubilee celebrations one thing is sure – the possibilities are endless.
 

​unner ups PROS
Michael Brophy - Mayo
Noreen Hynes - Carlow
Bernie Ryan - Roscommon
Runner-up Regional Paper
Mayo News
Carlow Nationalist
Roscommon Herald
Social Media Winner
Peter Lyons of Athenry Community Games
Website
Kevin Doyle of Independent.ie
Radio Winner
Clare FM
Photo Winner
Una Murray from Monaghan  
Overall Regional Paper Winner
Donegal Democrat
Overall PRO Winner
Michael Crossan