Westmeath Sports Partnership is buzzing after a busy few weeks.
Hello, and welcome to the latest update from the Westmeath Sports Partnership Team. February and March were again very busy months for activity and courses across the county. We are delighted to be able to offer so many opportunities to groups, clubs and communities, and if you would like to get in touch with us at any stage, please feel free to do so, by emailing info@westmeathsports.ie or via our social media channels.
Below, you will find some highlights of the activities and events we supported in the last two months.
Buggy Walks got February off to an energetic and fun start in Ballinahown, as new mams and their little ones got a chance to engage in some gentle exercise in a fun and safe environment.
February was also a very exciting month, as the Westmeath Sports Partnership secured over €265k in core funding for a range of activities this year from Sport Ireland. It means we can help more people to get active and stay active in the coming weeks and months.
The WSP also produced a special highlights E-Newsletter for 2022 in association with Sport Ireland. It featured information from all 29 LSPs across the country, including Westmeath. You can read more here:
SportsHall Athletics is always one of our most popular events in schools and the pupils of Gaelscoil na gCeithre Máistri in Athlone had a wonderful time trying out a wide range of track and field events.
Men on the Move continued with a session of walking football, thanks to near neighbours, Loughnavalley GAA.
We were delighted to support Women In Sport Week in March, and we profiled some local ladies from across County Westmeath active in various clubs and groups. Over the course of the week we heard from:
Geraldine Fogarty of Athlone Sub Aqua Club; Clare O’Brien Leinster and Mullingar Rugby; Veronica Kiernan, Brownstown GAA Club; Katie Gilligan, Miltown Ladies; Gemma Kiely Athlone Boat Club and her daughter, Sarah Rockett, Athlone Boat Club; and Neda Insodaite, Mullingar Canoe Polo.
You can read all the profiles by clicking on this link :
One of the highlights of Women in Sport Week was the launch of a new initiative to encourage more teenage girls to get involved in sport.
Her Moves was launched at Sport Ireland HQ on International Women’s Day.
We were also delighted this year to be able to support another Sports Leaders’ course at Loreto College in Mullingar which ran over several days in March.
Well done to all the TY Students who completed the course, and who are well set to put into practice their leadership and motivational skills in the coming years.
We were also happy to be able to provide a FREE Easy Keep Fit class in Ballymore for Women In Sport Week.
The ladies of Streamstown/Horseleap ICA also got the chance to try out Activator Poles as part of classes delivered by tutor Damien.
Tutor Ken was a busy man in March. He was on hand to help deliver a self-defence class to people in Castletown Geoghegan.
After a brilliant eight weeks, the Couch to Five KM (C25K) class came to an end in March at Rosemount GAA. Lots of happy faces and much fitter minds and bodies after the classes we have been told! Well done everyone!
Déirdre Orme was named Westmeath Volunteers in Sport Awards winner for 2022 at a gala event in Dublin. The Crookedwood GAA volunteer was described as a “huge part of the community, helping with coaching and fundraising for various different events for the club. Déirdre helped with community work during Covid as well as a whole range of mental health initiatives.“
You can read more about the event here
Multyfarnham was the place to be if you were a pickleball player in March with the Westmeath village hosting the Nationals at the Community Centre.
We were delighted to profile some of the organsiers, including Marian Mooney, Cassandra Mooney and Colin Sheridan.
Continuing the Women in Sport theme towards the end of March, the ladies in Taughmon-Turin enjoyed a gentle exercise classes with Grace.
It was also wonderful to see so many people enjoying Activator Poles classes in Ballymore Community Centre.
At the end of the month we also helped host a Ready To Go course for people who are looking to teach and lead orienteering in conjunction with Orienteering Ireland. The course took place at the Regional Sports Centre in Athlone.
We were delighted to support the Irish Olympic Handball Association who delivered a LO Coaching Course for teachers, service provider staff, youth workers and coaches in Clonkill GAA club.
Thanks to everyone who took part in any of our events in February and March. It’s been wonderful seeing so many people sign up for courses and getting out and enjoying some gentle, and sometimes a little more strenuous, exercise.
There are lots of events coming up in April so keep an eye on our website and our social media channels for more details.
Remember, keep active, keep fit and keep well.