Sligo Special Olympics Young Athletes Club are the final club of 2024 to have 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.
The Sligo Special Olympics Young Athletes Club formed in early 2020 following a well-attended “Come and Try Day” in 2019, which highlighted the need for a club in the area focused on children aged 4–12 with an intellectual disability. Despite its promising start, the club faced significant challenges when the Covid-19 pandemic forced it to close for over two years. Upon reopening, the club was fortunate to have its dedicated volunteers ready to welcome back both returning and new young athletes.
Since its relaunch, the club has thrived, implementing new session plans unveiled at the relaunch of the Young Athlete Programme in November. These developments promise to help the club’s remarkable young athletes continue to shine.
When asked about the impact of the €500 Gala Gifts prize, volunteer Geraldine said:
“The donation will allow us to enrich our sessions with new equipment, engaging games, and other resources that promote fun, learning, and physical development for our young athletes. For many of our children, these activities are not just about play – they are about building confidence, developing skills, and forming meaningful connections in a joyful environment. Gala’s generosity ensures that we can make a positive impact in their lives, and for that, we are truly grateful. We thank them for supporting our programme and the potential of every child involved in the club.”
Volunteer Aishling added:“We would love to get some new sports equipment for our athletes. Having a wide variety of sports equipment is key to fostering skill development and engagement, especially when working with children at different ages and ability levels. By introducing a variety of sports equipment, we’re opening the door for young athletes to explore different sports and discover what excites them the most. This exposure can be pivotal in helping them find their passion, develop a well-rounded skill set, and boost their confidence. Plus, it makes training more engaging as they can switch things up and stay motivated.”
One of the young athletes, Evie, has flourished since joining the club post-Covid. She said:
“I really like having somewhere to go to play sport with my friends where there is no pressure.” Evie is known for her remarkable speed, with some joking that she could give Usain Bolt a run for his money.
Since 2015, Gala Retail has been a proud platinum sponsor of Special Olympics Ireland. Through the Gala Gifts for Clubs programme, Gala continues to celebrate the dedication and commitment of Special Olympics clubs across Ireland.