Dundalk Special Olympics Club has been awarded €500 from Gala Retail as part of the Gala Gifts for Clubs initiative.
Gala Retail, a platinum sponsor of Special Olympics Ireland, launched the Gala Gifts for Clubs initiative to recognise and reward the work of Special Olympics Clubs across Ireland. Special Olympics Clubs are headed by volunteers who devote their time and knowledge through coaching, development, and support of Special Olympics Ireland athletes.

John Farrell, Chairperson, Dundalk Special Olympic Club, comments: “The Athletes and Volunteers of Dundalk Special Olympics are deeply grateful for the generosity shown by Gala Retail. At a practical level, the money will be used for bags for swimmers and be used to offset rental costs for swimming, athletics and Bocce. It also gives the club great heart to have it acknowledged by Gala, a household name throughout the country, and a super example of corporate outreach, supporting some of the most special people in our community.”Dundalk Special Olympics Club was set up to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sport for children and adults with a learning disability.
The club has expanded extensively over the past six years, and now offers training in four different sports, athletics, football, bocce and swimming.

The club’s athlete’s comment:
Peadar: “I love my football in Special Olympics. We play every Wednesday and Sean our coach trains us how to do skills, dribbling, and passing the ball. We go to competitions and tournaments and meet other teams. Sometimes we have penalty shootout with coach Sean in goals, it’s great fun and I go home sweating.”

Philip: “My favourite sport is swimming, it is really hard work, but great. We are going to a big Special Olympics competition in October; I am looking forward to it. When we finish our training our coach Kim sometimes shows us how to dive, this is great fun. Kim is a really great diver!”
Since 2015, Gala Retail has been proud, platinum partners for Special Olympics Ireland. In collaboration with the organisation, Gala Retail has joined forces to grant rewards to clubs throughout Ireland as part of the Gala Gifts for Clubs program. This initiative aims to illustrate the remarkable efforts and commitment of Special Olympics Ireland clubs nationwide.