THOUSANDS OF youngsters gathered in the heart of Ireland to participate in the second round of the Health Service Executive Community Games national finals at the weekend.
The 2,500 children from 31 counties were supported by family, friends and about 350 volunteers as they took part in sporting and cultural activities at Athlone Institute of Technology in Co Westmeath.
Amid something of a festival atmosphere, Community Games chief executive Fiachra O’Mathuna said the games have both a social and competitive dimension: “We are about being as inclusive as possible.”
Among other initiatives, the community games have begun a drive to attract competitors from all cultural backgrounds.
Leaflets in a range of languages are being distributed, said Mr O’Mathuna.
With more than 20,000 volunteers and 200,000 participants across the 32 counties, the games are constantly evolving.
“Given what is going on in Irish society, we are even more aware of the importance of looking after children,” Mr O’Mathuna said.
“We are fully aware of how things have changed in the country – everything from technology to child protection – so we are staying with the times and staying ahead of the times.”
According to President of the HSE Community Games Gerry Davenport, Athlone provides the perfect central location for the event.
“We have good crowds around today and yesterday – a good festival atmosphere,” he said.
Over their 44-year history, the community games can boast as participants sportpeople such as Grainne Murphy, Sonia O’Sullivan, Niall Quinn and John Treacy, as well as actors Saoirse Ronan and Colin Farrell.
But although some of the cream of Ireland’s athletes have participated in the community games, talent scouts are not “facilitated” at the events and most activities are not timed.
For proud parents Joan and Billy Hynes, from Drumcondra in Dublin, the experience last weekend was “brilliant”, with their four children performing exceptionally well at the event.
Their daughter Katie (8) reached the semi-finals in the girls under-10 freestyle swimming event, while their son Andrew (15) took gold in the boy’s under-16 freestyle event.
Another son, Matthew (11), won a bronze medal in the under-12 breaststroke and all three boys came fifth along with team-mate Donal Maolalai in the boys under-16 swimming relay.
“They are absolutely brilliant,” said Billy.
“They do sea swims as well, the three of them did the Liffey Swim last year.”
Joan Hynes might need a bigger trophy cabinet in future: “They have seven medals at national level,” she said.
“I’m very proud of them – they trained very hard. It’s a good interest and it keeps them fit.”
She said Matthew was the youngest participant in the 2010 Liffey Swim and is likely to be again when he returns to the event this year.
For Andrew, who trains with coach Alan Turner of Aer Lingus Swimming Club,“it’s good fun”.
He has noticed an increase in the number of swimmers participating.
“It seems to be getting bigger,” he said.
Children from six to 16 years of age from every Irish county except Antrim participated in the weekend’s events.
The final weekend will take place in Athlone Institute of Technology from August 19th- 21st.