The HSE Community Games launched the May Festival with the help of Irish sporting hero Sonia O’Sullivan in the new arena at Athlone Institute of Technology on Tuesday.
The May Festival event kicks off on the weekend of May 24-26. This year over 3,000 participants, 600 volunteers and organisers, as well as family members and friends will converge on Athlone from all corners of the country.
Speaking at the launch, athlete and former HSE Community Games participant Sonia O’Sullivan endorsed the Community Games as “a great way for kids to get out and get active”.
“The HSE Community Games represents everything that is good about Ireland. It is about supporting and encouraging children to get out, get involved, and get active. It provided me with a great ‘start’ towards attaining a professional sporting career; however Community Games is much more than a gold medal - it is about family, community, and supporting a healthier future.”
CEO of HSE Community Games, John Byrne, added, “We are delighted to launch the May Festival today with a sporting hero such as Sonia O’Sullivan. The HSE Community Games is focused on providing a healthy fun environment for young people to explore new pursuits and Sonia supports our vision and appreciates the power of community spirit.”
The launch coincides with the delivery of the HSE Community Games sports starter pack to every affiliated county. The starter packs are funded by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and include rugby balls, footballs, hurdles, baseball bats, skittles, foam javelins, hurls, rounder sets, and lots more - ensuring children are given the tools to enjoy active lives.
Results from the May and August Festivals can be accessed via the live twitter feed www.twitter.com/communitygames1 In addition, www.communitygames.ie will be updated regularly throughout the festivals, with the results from the weekend’s activities.
For more information about HSE Community Games, please visit www.maynationalfestival.com, www.communitygames.ie, or www.hse.ie
