Special Olympics Ireland Limited (A Company Limited by Guarantee and Not Having a Share Capital)
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2013 Annual Report "Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt." Special Olympics Ireland Athlete, John Donohoe 2 FRONT COVER: Special Olympics Ireland Athlete, Laura Rumball Contents Chairperson’s Statement 04 2013 Highlights 06 Programme Reports 07 Ireland Games 12 Sports Highlights 13 Club Development 15 Athlete Leadership 16 Family Programme 18 Volunteer Services 19 Training 19 Research 20 Health Services 21 Marketing, Communications and Fundraising 23 Support Functions 29 3 Chairperson’s Statement Chairperson Mary Davis Chairperson’s Statement 2013 was another year of sustained progress and development for Special Olympics Ireland with many wonderful sporting achievements and successes enjoyed by our athletes, not only in Ireland but also on the international stage. Amidst the ongoing difficult economic and financial circumstances, facing not only the charity sector but the country at large, it is a testament to our organisation that we continue to develop the programme and services offered to our athletes in such challenging times. 2013 started with great excitement as Team Ireland – consisting of 14 athletes – travelled to PyeongChang in South Korea for the 2013 Special Olympics World Winter Games. The athletes enjoyed fantastic success at these Games in January with the Alpine and Floorball teams giving a great account of both themselves and their coaching teams. Of course, World Games represent only a part of what Special Olympics seeks to deliver week in and week out in our 378 clubs across the country. 2013 also saw fantastic participation levels in competition events held across the country as 4,100 athletes competed in 67 Regional Competition Events, the second stage in our four-year competition cycle. Out of this number a team was selected to continue on to participate at the Special Olympics Ireland Games to be held in Limerick in June 2014. 1,500 athletes will compete at these Games and from this event; a team will be selected to represent Team Ireland at the Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles in 2015. 4 2013 also saw selections made for the 2014 European Games with 46 athletes selected to participate in seven sports in Antwerp, Belgium in September 2014. A huge thank you must go to our army of volunteers who, as ever, worked tirelessly to inspire, train and support our 9,223 athletes. Club volunteers are the backbone of the movement. Together with those who volunteer at our events, these individuals are key to ensuring the delivery of our service is maintained into the future. Special Olympics Ireland welcomed 1,486 new volunteers in 2013, bringing the total number to 25,566. This level of growth in our volunteer numbers will be crucial to sustaining the programme into the future and we are committed to ongoing improvements in the training we offer to volunteers. There was also steady growth in the number of new athletes, with 682 joining the programme. 2013 also saw a focus on the amalgamation of a number of clubs in order to provide a better service to the club athletes and to best utilise the time and expertise of our volunteers. In all, nine new clubs opened their doors. This consistent growth reaffirms the need for a continued focus on providing opportunities for athletes within their own local communities. Special Olympics Ireland is determined to sustain and where possible to continue developing the programme of sports and training that we offer. Coach and athlete education and training remained a key strategic focus during 2013 with 78 development sessions held across various different sports within the programme. Participation in Special Olympics not only changes the lives of our athletes but also their families. As such, a key aim achieved in 2013 was increasing the number of registered families which reached 8,524 with the programme by the end of 2013. 2013 also afforded an opportunity to reflect on past achievements. In June 2013 celebrations were held to mark the 10th anniversary of the Special Olympics World Games. This inspiring event captured the imagination of the public a decade ago and the ongoing legacy was marked by a series of events around the country featuring some of this country’s best known sports personalities. The celebration was also a chance to re-engage with the general public and to remind the country of what is possible when our nation unites with a common purpose. While there was much to celebrate in 2013, we cannot escape the stark financial realities the organisation continues to face. Special Olympics Ireland has had to contend with numerous challenges, not least the reduction in public grant funding, but also the difficulties associated with voluntary fundraising. As a result of this we report a deficit of €1.1m for 2013. That said, fundraising activities with the general public continue to be a major factor in generating required funds. The generosity and deep affection shown by the public to our athletes was on full display on our annual Collection Day in April in 2013 which raised €484,997 and was actively supported by 3,000 volunteers. We look forward to 2014, the year of our Ireland Games, and the platform this will offer to showcase the transformative power of Special Olympics to everyone connected to the movement. Thank you most sincerely for the part that you have played and continue to play in helping us to realise our promise of changing lives. Mary Davis Chairperson 5 Electric Ireland’s Powering Kindness campaign coaching session at Gonzaga College, Ranelagh, Dublin 2013 Highlights 682 new athletes Volunteer Service Recognition Pins 9 new clubs distributed to 3,600 long-service volunteers 1,962 new family members Enhanced online training for new 1,486 new volunteers volunteers and for Transition Year 14 athletes participate in the 2013 students Special Olympics World Winter Games, Research on a longitudinal research Pyeongchang, South Korea in Alpine study into the relative benefits of Skiing and Floorball being involved in Special Olympics 4,100 athletes participated in regional programmes gets underway events 7,075 Twitter followers 791 coaches attended coach training 121,656 visits to 500+ Athlete Leaders engage in www.specialolympics.ie volunteering, ambassadorial and 2nd place in the Electric Ireland advocacy roles ‘Powering Kindness’ competition 53 new clubs adopted the Health resulting in a donation of €40,000 Promotion Programme into club activities 6 2013 Special Olympics Programme Report Highlights 682 new athletes 14 athletes participate in the 2013 734 athletes attended development Special Olympics World Winter Games, training Pyeongchang, South Korea in alpine skiing and floorball 4,100 athletes participated in regional events 73 athletes from 33 clubs attended Athlete Code of Ethics and Good 791 coaches attended coach training Practice Workshop 62 Coach Education and training 64 volunteers attended Athlete opportunities offered Protection and Medical Officer 16 development sessions held for trainings coaches and athletes 2013 got off to a tremendous start with Special Olympics Ireland’s team of 14 athletes travelling as Team Ireland to participate in the 2013 Special Olympics World Winter Games held in PyeongChang, South Korea in January. The team, accompanied by their coaches and management team, had 6 athletes competing in Alpine Skiing and 8 athletes in Floorball. Prior to the start of the Winter Games, the city of Seoul hosted the Irish team, along with the Jamaican and Isle of Man delegations, and there was an opportunity to relax, acclimatise and take in some of the wonderful Korean culture over three days. The Opening Ceremony took place on Tuesday 29th January in YongPyeong Dome, PyeongChang and competition got underway the following day. Floorball was offered for the first time at these World Winter Games and the Irish team went straight into divisioning pool matches and competition. Team Ireland was placed in the 2nd division with Switzerland, Austria and the host country South Korea. The quality of play was outstanding and Team Ireland’s Floorball team finished in the Bronze medal position, an outstanding achievement at this level of competition. World Winter Games Floorball Ireland v Austria 7 Alpine Skiing took place at YongPyeong Resort, an ideal setting and with good snowfall conditions were perfect for competition. Divisioning took place over the first few days followed by competition and the many months of hard work and training were very evident in the overall results of three Golds, six Silver and three Bronze medals, plus four 4th place ribbons and two sixth place ribbons. There were a number of personal bests achieved in Alpine Skiing and of particular significance was the achievement of one athlete who was moved from novice up to intermediate level, a huge achievement for any athlete. Team Ireland was very well supported by the family members who travelled to the Games and by staff from the Irish Embassy, including the Irish Ambassador, Mr Charles Sheahan and a group of Irish people who are living in Seoul travelled up to YongPyeong to support the Irish team. Tremendous thanks must go to the management team and coaches who worked with the athletes from selection through training to competition at the Winter Games. These volunteers gave tirelessly of their time and their commitment to each member of the team was outstanding. Thanks must also go to those family members who gave great support to the entire team which was so much appreciated. In April, President Michael D. Higgins warmly welcomed Team Ireland, their family members and other guests to Áras an Uachtaráin, a fitting tribute and recognition for the team and much appreciated by all. On the competition front in 2013, a total of 4,100 athletes participated in 67 Regional Competition Events across the programme hoping to advance to the Special Olympics Ireland Games to be held in Limerick in June 2014.