Hosted by Bank of Ireland represented by Alice McLoughlin, Manager,
Bank of Ireland Celbridge and Special Olympics Ireland, represented
by Mary Mulvin, Regional Network Officer-Leinster, Special Olympics
Ireland, the meeting will be attended by members of the local community
who expressed an interest in the setting up of support groups for
local Special Olympics clubs, centres and workshops. The purpose
of the Special Olympics Network is to nurture the establishment
of new Special Olympics clubs and/or support the development of
existing clubs including those clubs currently facilitated by schools
and centres.
Bank of Ireland is the sponsor of the Programme and has seconded
five members of staff to work with Special Olympics Ireland. To
date 56 Special Olympics Networks have been registered throughout
the island, four of which are in Co Kildare; Kilcock, Leixlip,
Newbridge and Maynooth (with Dunboyne). In total, over 375 communities
have registered their interest in forming their own Special Olympics
Network, ensuring that more Networks will come on board over the
coming months, many of these in Co Kildare.
Special Olympics is a year round sports training and competition
programme for people with a learning disability. Founded in 1968
in the United States by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the organisation
has now grown to encompass over 160 countries worldwide. Special
Olympics Ireland was established in 1978 and is an all island programme.
There are approximately 450 schools, centres, workshops and clubs
in which Special Olympics activities take place with 8,000 athletes
currently involved in the organisation.
Special Olympics Ireland was established in 1978 and is an all
island programme. There are approximately 450 schools, centres,
workshops and clubs in which Special Olympics activities take place
with 8,000 athletes currently involved in the organisation.
For more information please contact:
Mary Mulvin, Regional Network Officer - Leinster
Special
Olympics Ireland
Telephone: +353 506 28635/087 825 1488
Email: mary.mulvin@specialolympics.ie
www.specialolympics.ie
