Community Games is an independent voluntary organisation operating through the local community, provides opportunities for children and young people to experience a wide range of sporting and cultural activities before concentrating on and specialising in those most suitable and attractive to them. Community Games is a country wide movement which operates at four levels Area, County Provincial and National. It caters for children whose ages range from 8 to 16 years, in an annual programme which has a variety of sporting and cultural activities. Adult members of the community are involved in Community Games through their role in organising these activities for young people. This particiation can provide great personal satisfaction and enjoyment through the effects on their children. The social aspect is also very important; many adults have found the Community Games an ideal way of meeting and making new friends. Community Games is run on a voluntary basis. Funds are received in the form of Grant Aid from the Government which has to be equally by the organisation through fund raising and commercial sponsorship.
The primary aim of Community Games is to introduce children to sports and other
activities. It has an annual programme which has 28 different types of sporting
and cultural activities. When people hear of Community Games their first thought
is with Athletics. This is not 100% correct. Community Games represents a variety
of events ranging from Quizes, Art, Athletics and numerous other events.
The first event to take place this year was a Primary School Quiz held in January.
Teams from the Convent, Boys School and Tineteriffe competed in the event. Well
done to all who entered the competition and keep it in mind for January 2005.
The next event which took place in March was the U14 Set Dancing Competition.
It was the third year that the Set-Dancers competed, and the third time they
took silver medals under the guidance of Pauline Hynan. However as the winners
did not qualify to go to Mosney, the offer went to Cappamore and they duly accepted.
Pauline and her team headed for Mosney and gave a very fine performance and
enjoyed a magnificent week-end.
A number of Children also competed in the Art Competition.
As always Athletics is our main aim as children were already in training in
Bilboa Athletic Club grounds. Training took place two evenings per week and
proved to be very successful. Training in various events was provided by Tom
Blackburn, Aidan Mooney, Pat Hynan, John Sheehy and Ollie O'Malley together
with a number of parents who helped out - thanks to all . Cross Country was
our first athletic event with a number of children participating. A Sports Evening
was held at the Bilboa AC grounds in May - a large crowd turned out and medals
and goodies were enjoyed by all taking part.
In June we had the County Athletic Finals in Mungret. Over 35 children from
the parish competed over the two days and Cappamore were very successful in
bringing home a number of medals. 3 Gold Medals were won by Muireann Creamer,
Gearoid Sheehy, and Niamh Mooney. Silver Medals were won by Ashling Holmes,
Eamon Gleeson, Niamh Berkery. Bronze Medals were won by Fiona Holmes & Thomas
Blackburn. Certificates were won by Darragh O'Malley and Liam Lynch. The U15
Relay Team finished 3rd winning Bronze (N. Berkery, E. Gleeson, S. Holmes, L.
Lynch and S. Humphries) also our U10 Relay Team won Certificates (M. Creamer,
N. Blackburn, L. Dawson and C. Berkery) In the U7 event medals were won by Roisin
O'Malley, Becky Dawson, Michele Berkery, Emily Sheehy, Sinead Creamer &
Sarah Creamer & last but not least was the Family Relay who came 3rd ( John,
Breda, Siobhan & Con Berkery) a magnificent result for the parish.
The Gold medal winners qualified to represent Limerick at the National Finals
in Mosney in August. Muireann and Gearoid represented the parish. Gearoid won
Gold in U13 Walk for the 3rd year. A superb result and one which he will cherish.
I would think that Gearoid is the only one from the parish that has this record.
Muireann made it to the final in U10 200M and put up a fine performance.
Cappamore also competed in the Swimming Competition. Individuals and Teams from
the local schools competed. Niamh Mooney won Silver in the individual competition.
Well done to everyone who competed over the year in the various events and we
look forward to your participation in 2005. As a new year approaches new ideas,
and more volunteers are needed. The first event for 2005 is a Primary School
Quiz and U14 Quiz so get the books out now and get prepared.