The Mayo Sports Partnership and GMIT hosted a talk on ability and outdoor activities on Monday, December 3 in GMIT Castlebar to celebrate International Disability Awareness Day. The day organised by Ray Mc Namara (sports inclusion officer with the Mayo Sports Partnership ) and Nigel Jennings (sports officer in GMIT ) was launched by Mayor of Castlebar Cllr Brendan Heneghan, who spoke about the importance of sport and physical activity to people of all abilities and welcomed Dennis Toomey to Castlebar. The talk was given by Dennis Toomey, Irish para cycling manager and chairman of the Para Cycling Commission. Dennis is the man who brought Para cycling from nothing to the success of the London Paralympic games where the Irish team returned home with two gold, one silver, and two bronze from the games.
Ireland had never won a medal in cycling in the Paralympics before London. His talk was inspirational and gave great hope for future young athletes. Mayo Sports Partnership has received grant aid to purchase a hand cycle and aim to promote the sport throughout the county in the coming year. As part of the national event Xcessible - Inclusive Outdoors Initiative, organised by CARA the National Adapted Physical Activity Centre in co-operation with local Sports Partnerships around the country, there was an outdoor adventure day in Lough Lannagh, Castlebar, following the talk in GMIT. The Xcessible outdoors initiative aims to heighten the benefits of an active healthy lifestyle and participation opportunities for people with disabilities within the outdoor environment. Activities included hand cycling, walking, open boating and tandem cycling. A special thank you to GMIT outdoor education students and tutors who ran the activities. If you would like more information on hand or tandem cycling or outdoor activities contact Ray McNamara in Mayo Sports Partnership on 094 904 7023 or [email protected]
