It was an honour to be confirmed as a Board Member at Special Olympics Ireland for an initial two-year term at the organisation’s AGM on the Sport Ireland Campus on Saturday.
It has always been one of the most important bodies in Irish sport and one that has a massive impact on the lives of those it serves. It will be a pleasure and a privilege to give something back through whatever experience I can bring to the Board over the next few years.
Gary Desmond, CEO of Gala Retail, and Ronan O’Flynn, representing the athletes’ parents, joined me as new board members. Jillian O’Sullivan, Evelyn Bohan, and Jennifer Holohan were also appointed in their positions as regional Chairs of the Leinster, Connacht, and Eastern regions.
Anne Kiely, Donal Courtenay, Rose Alice Murphy, Laura Murphy, Charlotte Donnelly, and Chair Brendan O’Brien were re-elected for another two-year term. Dr Nazih Eldin, Mary Moran, Aengus Sheerin and Paul Malone stepped down from the Board having served their terms of office.
Athlete Margaret Turley, who was appointed as one of the Sargent Shriver Global Messengers earlier in 2024, opened proceedings with a very well-delivered address about her new role and experience to date.
Brendan O’Brien, in his Chair’s Address, focused on the Board’s commitment to maintaining the highest possible standards of governance and thanked all those who contribute so much to ensuring that quality opportunities are available to all athletes in the future.
The Chair confirmed Special Olympics Ireland is compliant with the Charities Governance Code, the Sport Ireland Governance Code and the Anti-Doping Policy.
CEO Matt English presented the company’s 2023 Annual Review.
“2023 was a year in which we saw a further significant step in returning to a new normal post-pandemic. Participation in the Special Olympics World Games in Berlin reminded our athletes and the whole country of the importance of our movement in showcasing the abilities of our athletes and the dedication of our volunteers.”
“Success in Berlin was inevitable given the outstanding preparation and commitment from all team members, their families, our funders and our staff. Their achievements certainly attracted the worthy attention of the media up and down the country and indeed internationally.”
“Across the sport and not-for-profit sectors, it became clear that a lot had changed since pre-COVID-19.”
“Many people got out of the habit of participating in sport and volunteering their time. Understandably, many people reprioritised their own health, time and their families.”
“Furthermore, fundraising models had dramatically changed, with a pronounced move towards a cashless society. This environment was exacerbated by significant increases in costs, from utilities to venue hire and insurance costs to payroll. Staff turnover increased dramatically too as more people, cooped-up during the pandemic, decided to travel and explore their lives in a new way.”
“Furthermore, in a very competitive labour market, it was impossible to meet all demands, and inevitably, this has impacted staff turnover. Significant impact was experienced in clubs too, with many clubs losing key volunteers that had served the club so gallantly but, with our best wishes and deepest gratitude, decided to call it a day. ”
“Given that backdrop, it was very satisfying that we achieved so much together in 2023. By the end of the year, 241 clubs had returned to regular sports activity and other programmes, and 12 new clubs affiliated to the programme.”
“Many clubs focused on upskilling and availed of important training including safeguarding and specialist coaching skills, whilst their club training sessions prepared athletes to take part in one or more of the 51 competitions offered across the five regions and/or in one of the 41 Sports Development events held during the year.”
Athletes George Fitzgerald and Michael Carr, Pictured above, both members of the Athlete Voices Group, jointly gave an inspirational and considered update on the group’s activities since the previous 2023 AGM.
Sport for Business will host its Annual Sport for Social Good Conference on Thursday, October 24th, in partnership with Allianz. This is one of many events planned for the remainder of 2024.
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