Gala Ireland has signed a six figure, four year deal to become a long term partner of Special Olympics Ireland.
The deal was announced in Drogheda yesterday and will encompass the 90 Area Events taking place around the country as the first steps towards athletes representing Ireland at the next Special Olympics World Games in 2019.
The partnership will also take in those World Games as well as the next Ireland Winter Games in 2016, the World Winter Games in Pyeongchang, Korea in 2017, and the Special Olympics European Games (2018).
Gala’s relationship with Special Olympics Ireland has strengthened since it became one of the main sponsors of Team Ireland at the Special Olympics World Summer Games last year, when Ireland brought home an incredible 82 medals.
“Last year’s commitment to Team Ireland was a special partnership for Gala and from the outset, there were many special moments, right from the launch to the World Summer Games,” said Gala CEO, Gary Desmond
“As an Irish-owned convenience group, with almost 200 Gala stores across the country, all of our stores and their communities know either Special Olympics athletes, volunteers or someone within the Special Olympics family.”
“This is a partnership that resonates with the Gala Group, and one that we’re extremely proud to be associated with.”
Gala now joins eir and Aer Lingus as a powerful trio of main backers for the Special Olympics movement which has had a special place in Ireland’s emotional landscape since the hosting of the World Games in Ireland in 2003.
On that occasion host towns in every county put themselves forward to welcome teams of athletes from around the world. The signs proclaiming host town status are still proudly maintained on the highways and byways of the country and that local pride is a major plus for a retailer like Gala which is central rot many of the same communities.
The sponsorship of the 90 all-island Area Events is just the first of many initiatives that the Group will be supporting over the next four years.
“We had a wonderful first year with Gala during the World Summer Games and are thrilled that Gala is becoming one of our major sponsors of Special Olympics Ireland for the next Olympic cycle, said Matt English, CEO of Special Olympics Ireland.
“This four-year pledge from Gala demonstrates their commitment to our athletes and the importance we afford to each step of the journey.”
“From area events in local communities, to competing on the world stage, each step is as important as the next for our athletes.”
“Sitting alongside Eir and Aer Lingus as a major sponsor, Gala’s support is invaluable to ensuring that our thousands of athletes will continue to benefit from the fun, friendship and team spirit that Special Olympics delivers through our ongoing sports programmes.”
“Our organisation has a natural synergy with Gala as it’s regarded as a Convenience Retail Group that supports its communities – the same communities in which many of our athletes and volunteers train and live in,” added Glenda Wright, Director of Marketing, Communications & Fundraising.
“We’ve seen how Gala stores supported their local athletes throughout World Games and are looking forward to a special four years working with the Gala Group.”
All athletes who participate at an area level competition are eligible to advance to the next stage of the programme, through the official selection process, which includes regional events in 2017, Ireland games in 2018 and finally to World Games level in year four.
