Community Games area award for Mount Temple

Mount Temple/Baylin was the county winner at the HSE Community Games national area awards event held in Ballinasloe's Carlton Shearwater Plaza on Saturday last. Volunteers from every corner of Ireland were rewarded for their hard work throughout the year The awards are a celebration of the excellent work and dedication of volunteers from those areas within HSE Community Games that have achieved high levels of participation by children in a wide range of sports and cultural activities throughout the year. Westmeath community games vice chairman Oliver Holmes (Mullingar) received the adult volunteer award for Westmeath. President Miceal Curley welcomed all the areas to the function and congratulated all the winners. He praised them for their efforts in keeping the spirit of HSE Community Games alive. He was delighted with the number of people attending and welcomed the special guests, which included Miriam Stack, HSE, sponsors, Mayor of Ballinasloe, Pat O'Sullivan and Professor Ciaran and Sandra †Catháin, Athlone Institute Technology. Mayor of Ballinasloe Pat O'Sullivan, welcomed everyone to the town and said he was privileged to have all the volunteers in the beautiful Shearwater Plaza Hotel. He praised the local community games members for their work and dedication throughout the year. He said that Community Games was never more needed in society than at the present time and said that it would help young people in the difficult times ahead. The Area Awards are one of the highlights for volunteers on the HSE Community Games calendar. Youth Director, Kevin Doyle complimented all the youth volunteers who were privileged to receive awards for their work within their respective counties. He urged all the counties to encourage youth involvement and assured all of them of his support. Carmel Grealy congratulated all the winners of the area, volunteer and youth awards and said that she was proud of the success of the event. She paid tribute to the HSE for their continued support of Community Games and stressed the importance of a partnership like Community Games and the HSE.