Welcome to our first activity bulletin of 2024!
We survived the winter and it’s wonderful to see much more activity taking place all across Co. Westmeath as the days get longer.
The opening months of this year have given the team at the Westmeath Sports Partnership lots of opportunities to get out and about and we look forward to continuing our work in the coming months after a very busy start.
Below you will find just a sample of some of the activities we have coordinated in the last number of weeks with communities and groups throughout the county.
Operation Transformation
It was a case of lights, camera, action for several communities and venues across Co. Westmeath in January and February as RTE’s Operation Transformation was based in the county.
The ad-break challenges were hosted in multiple areas across the seven weeks of the show being on air including Mullingar, Athlone, Kinnegad and Moate.
Kilbeggan also provided the base for the weigh-ins for the leaders each week.
The very popular TV show provided a major boost for the county and it was wonderful to see so many communities, volunteers and amenities highlighted in early 2024.
Volunteers in Sports Awards
We were delighted to be present in Dublin on February 29th last to see Nuala Lawlor of Shoot N’ Stars Special Olympics Club accept her 2023 Volunteers in Sports Award.
Nuala is well-known to many people across the county from her years as a teacher, and she has brought her wonderful spirit and sense of fun and enjoyment to her coaching role with Shoot N’ Stars.
Well done again to Nuala and everyone who collected their awards in February.
Women in Sport Week
We were very excited to provide lots of diverse opportunities for women of all ages and abilities to get involved in sport during Women in Sport Week in early March.
The celebration of women getting active and enjoying physical exercise in a fun and safe environment saw great participation in several different communities and clubs.
We had a brilliant evening of fun in Moate as we hosted a come and try session with the local dodgeball club at the sports centre in the town.
Our friends in Collinstown Pitch and Putt Club also hosted free sessions for people to try their hand at their short game and sixteen women took part in our Come and Try Yoga for women at the Mullingar Parish Community Centre.
We also conducted interviews with local women involved in sport all across Co. Westmeath.
You can find details of them at the links below:
Niamh Gibney – Milltown Table Tennis Club
Chloe Singleton – Athlone Town F.C
Jessica Hennessy Shamrock Rovers
Cassandra Mooney Multyfarnham Pickleball
Karen Goldrick Westmeath Camogie
Orla Hickey Mullingar Parkrun
Thank you to everyone who took part in any activities during Women in Sport Week, and hopefully you have found a sport or activity that you will continue with in the future.
Mullingar Regional Sports Centre Takes Step Forward
Hopes are rising in Mullingar and its surrounds that the long awaited new swimming pool and sports facility for the town will soon become a reality.
Westmeath Sports Partnership is pleased to be in a position to support efforts from the local authority to progress plans for a new Mullingar Regional Sports Complex.
Over 600 submissions were made via an online public consultation process and dozens of people attended two in-person consultation events at the Council Offices in Mullingar during February.
We look forward to the next stage in the process and supporting efforts to improve recreational opportunities for everyone in Mullingar.
Couch To 5k Bunbrosna
Our first large scale fitness and exercise programme of 2024 to help people run , walk or jog a 5k in eight weeks kicked off in late February in Bunbrosna GAA.
Led by tutor Damien, we had a wonderful response to the classes taking place at the fully lit up walking track at the GAA facility.
Safeguarding
It was very positive to see full attendance at our January and February Safeguarding One courses with our March course also now fully sold out.
If you would like to avail of Safeguarding training you can find a full list of upcoming training opportunities on the Events section of our website
Be Bright Be Safe Be Seen Campaign
Westmeath County Council, in association with Healthy Ireland Westmeath, and Westmeath Sports Partnership, were very pleased to collaborate on a special road safety campaign.
Sports clubs and people engaged in physical activity were encouraged to support the ‘Be Bright, Be Safe, Be Seen’ message by taking pictures of themselves wearing high vis or being well lit up.
Pedestrians are the most vulnerable people on our roads and the campaign hoped to encourage people to make the roads safer for all by wearing their reflective clothes and being as bright as possible.
1st prize went to Castletown Geoghegan Foroige Club/Youth Club and we thank everyone who took part and submitted entries.
Exercise and Nutrition for Menopause
One of our most popular and enduring courses is our Exercise and Nutrition class for menopause or perimenopause women.
Grace from My Wellness Transition again led the classes which kicked off in Moate in mid-February.
Keep an eye out for further classes in the coming months at different venues across Co. Westmeath.
Stay in Touch
As always, the best place to keep up to date with all the information from the Sports Partnership is right here on our website, or through our social media channels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Alternatively, you can always email us at info@westmeathsports.ie.
Have a wonderful Easter and we will be back in early May with our next activity bulletin.