Mondelez International, the parent company of Cadbury in Ireland is once again backing the Irish Paralympic Sport Expo taking place on Saturday January 14th 2017 at the new National Indoor Arena on the National Sports Campus.
This free of charge day-long event will showcase a wide range of Paralympic sports in a bid to attract new people and potential talent into the sports.
The vast majority of Ireland’s 2016 Paralympic team will also be in attendance.
2016 Paralympians cyclist Peter Ryan, and discus thrower Niamh McCarthy who won silver in Rio, were on hand at the National Indoor Arena today to mark the announcement.
Both athletes attended a similar event held by Paralympics Ireland post London 2012 and essentially began their careers in their respective Para sports from that point.
Read about the EGM of the Olympic Council of Ireland, fixed now for February 9th
“I came to the event four years ago and after some initial testing by the athletics team on the day and a few further follow ups I was selected for the Fast Track talent programme in place at the time,” said McCarthy.
“Ultimately after a lot of support, guidance and incredible amount of hard work over the intervening four years I found myself on the podium in Rio.”
“That is obviously the dream scenario for anyone planning to attend this event in January but nonetheless I’d urge people to come along, meet the team, and try out some Para sports; it’s set to be a great day.”
“This event presents a great opportunity for all Para-sports in Ireland to capitalise on the massive interest generated by the performances of the Irish team at the Rio 2016 Games, added outgoing Paralympics Ireland CEO Liam Harbison.
“It’s set to give young people with disabilities a chance to meet with the Irish team and try out sports most suited to their functional profile, hopefully leading to a longer term involvement.”
“The search for potential athletes for future Paralympic Games is crucial to the continued development of the Paralympic movement in Ireland,” said Eoin Kellett, Managing Director of Mondelez International.
“Mondelēz International is proud to sponsor this event. It offers the opportunity for those attending to experience different Paralympic sports, and meet with Irish medal winning Paralympians.”
Those attending on the day will be screened on arrival and directed to try out the sports most suited to them. The sports exhibition will run for the day with demonstrations of wheelchair tennis, basketball and rugby for example ongoing, as well as athlete question and answer sessions.
