RAIN GEAR AND umbrellas were the order of the day as the skies opened on the final day of the 2009 Community Games in Athlone yesterday.
“This is the worst weather I have ever seen in my entire life,” one young competitor shouted dramatically as he and his team-mates ran for cover.
However, the weather could not dampen the high spirits of those in the presentations tent. Troops of children lined up to collect their medals piled high on a long table as friends and family cheered their victories.
Twelve-year-old Joe O’Connor was one of the gold winning under-13 rounders team from Piercetown/Murrintown. He says that he and his team-mates would have been happy just to participate, “but we’re very glad to win it . . . it’s deadly”.
From soccer to skittles, GAA to judo and long jump to model making the Community Games it seems has something for everyone. More than 9,000 children took part in the national finals which took place over three weekends this summer.
Coach Kevin Prunty who accompanied 23 children from Killoe in Co Longford said that the inclusive nature of the Community Games mean children who might not usually have access to a sports club can still participate. He says for many children around the country the Community Games is a high point of the summer.
“It takes a fair bit of work,” Prunty admits. “But it’s worth it. They’ve really worked hard.”
One of the Killoe relay team members, 13-year-old Larry Moran is proud of the team who came in 8th place in the national finals: “We never thought we’d get this far.”
He says that participating in the Community Games is something to be proud of: “You’re all wearing the jersey and representing your county and you’re lining out against all the other counties as well.”
The same applied to 13-year-old Caoimhe Whittaker who came third in the 800m under-14 final. “I feel really honoured to get a medal and to represent Kildare,” she said.
Margaret Bolton, public relations officer and marketing director for the Community Games said the main thrust of the games is participation in sports and crafts.
“We don’t focus in on the winning aspect – we focus in on participation. If a child is not athletic they have the opportunity there to go on stage. They have the opportunity to sit down and do art, model making – there are loads of options there on the cultural side of it. That’s why it’s so special because it does give opportunities to every child.”
After 35 years in Mosney the Community Games has moved to the Athlone Institute of Technology. However, Bolton says that the move has been a great success as some of the facilities in Mosney had deteriorated and could no longer be used.
“The fact that we’re in the centre of the country has helped us to draw the crowds in,” Ms Bolton says. “Over the three weekends you’d be talking close to 9,000 competitors . . . over the three weekends you’d be talking up to 30,000 people.”