AGM 2014
Shimna Stars Basketball Club meets every Tuesday at Shimna Integrated College, Newcastle, from 6.30pm to 8.00pm. Our mission, and the mission of Special Olympics Ireland, is ‘to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with an intellectual disability, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendships with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community’.
Currently up to 40 athletes, ranging in age from 6 to over 60, attend training every week. During this time, the athletes participate in drills, hone new basketball skills, take part in friendly matches and socialise with new friends in a safe and welcoming environment. The club is run entirely by volunteers and due to its increasing popularity, is constantly seeking new volunteers to help with weekly training sessions, fundraising efforts and trips to League dates. We welcome volunteers of any age and sporting ability. We would particularly encourage sixth form students or Duke of Edinburgh Award candidates to consider joining the club with a view to contributing to the local community and gaining invaluable skills that would enhance future university and career prospects.
The continued success of Shimna Stars Special Olympics Club was outlined at its Annual General Meeting which took place on Thursday 17th October at the Burrendale Hotel, Newcastle.
Club Manager Daniel Hardy commended the Club on its numerous successes in the 2012/2013 year. Not only did the male senior team win the Special Olympics Ulster Basketball B League in only its first year of competitive play but no fewer than four athletes from the Club have been selected to participate in the Special Olympics Ireland Games in Limerick in June 2014.
The club’s success has presented new challenges, not least the increase in fundraising efforts required to subsidise travel to League dates and the cost involved in sending athletes to the Special Olympics Ireland Games. Two major fundraising events have already been planned for the forthcoming year: A Night at the Races at the Mourne Golf Club on Friday 1st November and a Polar Plunge at the Newcastle Harbour on Saturday 7th December. Local businesses and the general public are asked to support these events, upon whose success depends the future development of the club.
If you feel that you can support the club in any way, either as a volunteer or as a sponsor, please do not hesitate to contact the club on 07936296015. Alternatively, feel free to come along to any training session to get a feel for what we offer.
Currently up to 40 athletes, ranging in age from 6 to over 60, attend training every week. During this time, the athletes participate in drills, hone new basketball skills, take part in friendly matches and socialise with new friends in a safe and welcoming environment. The club is run entirely by volunteers and due to its increasing popularity, is constantly seeking new volunteers to help with weekly training sessions, fundraising efforts and trips to League dates. We welcome volunteers of any age and sporting ability. We would particularly encourage sixth form students or Duke of Edinburgh Award candidates to consider joining the club with a view to contributing to the local community and gaining invaluable skills that would enhance future university and career prospects.
The continued success of Shimna Stars Special Olympics Club was outlined at its Annual General Meeting which took place on Thursday 17th October at the Burrendale Hotel, Newcastle.
Club Manager Daniel Hardy commended the Club on its numerous successes in the 2012/2013 year. Not only did the male senior team win the Special Olympics Ulster Basketball B League in only its first year of competitive play but no fewer than four athletes from the Club have been selected to participate in the Special Olympics Ireland Games in Limerick in June 2014.
The club’s success has presented new challenges, not least the increase in fundraising efforts required to subsidise travel to League dates and the cost involved in sending athletes to the Special Olympics Ireland Games. Two major fundraising events have already been planned for the forthcoming year: A Night at the Races at the Mourne Golf Club on Friday 1st November and a Polar Plunge at the Newcastle Harbour on Saturday 7th December. Local businesses and the general public are asked to support these events, upon whose success depends the future development of the club.
If you feel that you can support the club in any way, either as a volunteer or as a sponsor, please do not hesitate to contact the club on 07936296015. Alternatively, feel free to come along to any training session to get a feel for what we offer.