Up to 3,000 competitors and their supporters are to descend on Athlone this weekend, as the first round of national HSE Community Games 2010 finals kick off at AIT.
The institute will play host to a jam-packed schedule of activities over the course of the weekend, which kickstarts what is expected to be another exciting and successful year for the HSE Community Games.
Between Friday and Sunday, May 28 to 30, finalists will battle it out for all-Ireland titles in activities as diverse as model-making, chess, cross-country, choir, drama and comedy sketches, handball, and table tennis.
More than 200,000 children aged between six and 16 take part in the HSE Community Games each year, and the emphasis is on participation, rather than competition. Friendly rivalry and the encouragement from families, coaches, and volunteers can help children get to the ultimate goal of representing their county at the national finals.
Families from all over Ireland will travel to the national finals, which are being held over three weekends this year; May 28-30, August 14 and 15, and August 21 and 22 in AIT. This is the second year for Athlone to welcome the event to the town.
The HSE Community Games National Finals 2010 were officially launched in Dundrum on Wednesday. Speaking at the launch, president of AIT Professor Ciarán Ó Catháin said; “There is an air of anticipation in Athlone about the Games. People are really looking forward to the 2010 National Finals at AIT. Last year proved a fantastic success and we are confident that we can build on that. Everything is in place for a really great weekend.”
HSE Community Games president, Miceal Curley, said, “The HSE Community Games is about providing children and young people with an enjoyable introduction to sporting and cultural activities which we hope will remain with them as part of a healthy lifestyle. This remains our focus - involving children at local community level in fun, healthy, and active pursuits.”
For more information about HSE Community Games please visit www.communitygames.ie or www.hse.ie
