MONAGHAN SPECIAL OLYMPICS CLUB
“Let me win
but if I cannot win,
Let me be brave
in the attempt.
– Special Olympics Athlete Oath
Monaghan Special Olympics club provides year-round sports training and competition opportunities for children and adults with an intellectual disability, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendships with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.
Monaghan Special Olympics offers training in Athletics, Aquatics, Ten Pin Bowling, Table Tennis, Basketball and Soccer. We also hold a dance class in June and do Gaelic training in the summer.
Special Olympics is unique in that it offers a programme of sport for all levels of ability. Athletes or teams are grouped in divisions to ensure fair competition and each athlete or team is recognised for his/her performance with medals awarded for first through to third place, and ribbons for fourth through to eighth place.
Competition is offered at area, regional and national level, with an opportunity to progress to international competition. A number of leagues and inter club events are organised locally throughout the year that offer additional competitive opportunities for athletes to develop.
2015/16 – Area Special Olympic Games (Monaghan, Cavan, Fermanagh and Armagh
2016/17 – Regional Games (Ulster) – Gold medal winners from Area Games are selected for the Ulster Games
2017/18 – National Games (All Ireland) – Gold medal winners are selected the National Games.
2019 – World Games – Approx 80 gold medal winners from the National Games are selected to travel to the World Games.
Our Aim
Our aim is to provide a level of sport that every person with an intellectual disability has the opportunity to participate in, in their local community. They are given the opportunity to participate in high quality sport and development activities that brings life-changing experiences of increased skills, self-confidence and joy.
Sports
Aquatics
Monaghan Leisure Centre
Saturday 1.15 – 2.30
Athletics (April – June)
Glaslough Harriers track, Emyvale
Monday 6.30 – 7.30
Basketball /Soccer
St. Macartan’s College
Tuesday 6.30 – 8.00
alternate Tuesdays
Table Tennis
First Monaghan Hall
Monday 7 – 8
Ten Pin Bowling
GR8, Castleblayney
Friday 7 – 8
Athletes
Athletes may participate in a training programme from six years of age and compete from eight years of age; there is no upper age limit.
Athletes complete an Athlete Participation Form which is signed by a GP. A photograph is submitted and the athlete receives a photographic membership card.
Volunteer
Monaghan Special Olympics Club always need and welcome new volunteers to join our Club. You can volunteer to help in whatever sport suits you. You will find it a very rewarding experience.
Volunteering options are open to persons over the age of 15 who successfully register with Special Olympics Ireland. On reaching the age of 16, the person is also subject to Garda Clearance.
If interested please contact any of the members of our committee.
CONTACT US
Ann Kelly, Chairperson
086 3389064
Margaret McElroy, Secretary
087 7985451
Bernie McKenna, Treasurer
087 7965659