TOGETHER WE ACHIEVE SO MUCH
- ATHLETE’S OATHLet me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt “ ”
2015 WAS A GREAT YEAR FOR SPECIAL OLYMPICS IRELAND!
It was a privilege to be elected as Chairperson of Special Olympics Ireland by my fellow board members and I would like to thank my predecessor, Mary Davis, for her outstanding contribution.
I’ve witnessed the amazing impact that Special Olympics has had, for many years. A stand out memory for me, this year, was the L.A. Games and the performance of Team Ireland’s 88 athletes, 40 coaches and management team. The athletes earned a grand total of 82 medals, including 26 gold, 28 silver, 28 bronze and 41 placement ribbons, as well as 31 individual personal bests. 157 Ireland volunteers gave their time to work at the Games and raise vital money for the programme. Individually, and collectively, they lifted the spirit of the country.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the multitude of stakeholders that both sustain and develop the programme offered throughout the island of Ireland. Through your dedication and effort, our programme remains the leading light, globally.
I would like to thank our committed and skilled staff, our amazing volunteers, coaches and supportive family members. Our many funding partners and sponsors continue to demonstrate wonderful loyalty and support. On every level, 2015 was a brilliant year and the organisation is well placed to continue onwards and upwards.
Terry Buckley Chairman
The mission of Special Olympics is “to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continued 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.”
of athletes have at least one registered family member
and athletic competition
ATHLETES IN THE PROGRAMME PER REGION 2015
2,006
ULSTER
243 NEW ATHLETES
1,286
CONNAUGHT
106 NEW ATHLETES
2,126
EASTERN
156 NEW ATHLETES
LEINSTER
149 NEW ATHLETES
2,173
1,626 MUNSTER
147 NEW ATHLETES
WE HAVE 8 SPORTS LEAGUES
In addition to the planned competition, which takes place throughout the programme, sports leagues have also been established. Managed by teams of volunteers, these leagues provide additional opportunities for athletes to grow and develop their skills in a competitive environment. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
CONSTANTLY DEVELOPING, CONSTANTLY IMPROVING
A high quality coach education programme is paramount to Special Olympics Ireland. Special Olympics athletes, similar to any athlete, deserve to be coached by qualified coaches in their chosen sport. Minimum standards are established for coaches throughout the programme and coaches are encouraged to maintain their coaching levels as outlined by the relevant National Governing Bodies of Sport.
new coaches certified +152
3,954 certified coaches
athletes embraced Athlete Leadership
Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try
665 athletes attended Code of Ethics and Good Practice training
Training courses provided in 2015
Special Olympics Induction
Intellectual Disability Education
Safeguarding
Health Promotion
Club Governance
Competition and Event Management
Athlete Mentoring
1,488 training opportunities provided to volunteers and athletes
COMMITTED TO GOOD GOVERNANCE
PRACTICES
We are committed to
Governance Code for the Community, Voluntary and Charitable Sectors
Standards in Fundraising Practice
Anti-Doping Compliance Guidelines
Code of Ethics
Access NI Code of Practice
Annual audited accounts can be found on: specialolympics.ie
“It is impossible to capture, in a few words, what we have achieved together in 2015. Every day, magic happens in Special Olympics, but this does not happen by chance. The quality, strength and depth of our programme shone, again, in villages, towns and cities across the whole island in 2015. The foundation of Special Olympics Ireland lies in the club-based programme offered at a community level.” (Matt English CEO)
community based clubs
SUPPORTING CLUBS IN THE HEART OF THE COMMUNITY special
schools
service providers
clubs engaged in health and wellbeing Promotion
Focus on health and wellbeing
Health and wellbeing initiatives make health information more accessible
We want to provide athletes with the tools and knowledge to make healthier choices for everyday health and wellbeing
Empowering athletes to stay healthy and perform to the best of their ability
1,080
new volunteers recruited, vetted and trained in 2015
6,921
volunteers active in 2015
- MAHATMA GANDHI -
Age of active volunteers
3,644 volunteers
1,534
VOLUNTEERS ARE VITAL
Special Olympics Ireland would not exist today without the time, energy, commitment and enthusiasm of volunteers. In 2015, in communities all over the island of Ireland, thousands of individuals took time from their busy schedules to help change the lives of people with intellectual disabilities.
2015 WORLD SUMMER GAMES
The 2015 Special Olympics World Summer Games was the culmination of four years of training and advancement competition for Team Ireland. Once selected in September 2014, a training plan was implemented, resulting in a well prepared team of athletes, coaches and managers who competed, so successfully, at the Games.
28
volunteers worked as International Officials at the Games volunteers travelled to work on the games 157
Team Ireland consisted of members
128
88 were athletes with an age range of 16 – 73 years old
350 travelled to Special Olympics World Summer Games in Los Angeles
family members and supporters travelled to support the team
DUBLIN
placement ribbons 31 personal best
*Distance from Dublin Airport to Los Angeles International Airport
OUR SUPPORTERS ARE COMMITTED AND LOYAL
It is through the continued kindness of our volunteers and donors that we are aided in our mission of growing and developing our programme, so that the needs of all our athletes, and the athletes of the future, continue to be met. Your effort ensures that we can continue to provide the services our athletes deserve.
Core funding
received from:
Sport Ireland
Sport NI
€612K
was raised through our 2015 Annual Collection Day
of partnership with eir celebrated in 2015
157 donors joined our Support an Athlete campaign 256
volunteers raised €714,832 for the sports programme
took place across Ireland, supported by the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Ireland Thank you!
€13Million Facebook (press and broadcast) total in 2015
455,877 web visitors
43,110 increase in likes 13.06% + advertising value equivalent PR
129.26% likes in 2015
Our top tweet rise in engagement (organic)
“#TeamIreland golfers enjoyed putting practice with @Graeme_McDowell @IrishOpenGolf today. Incredible, @EuropeanTour!”
107,794 impressions 4,449 engagements 93 likes 45 retweets
55.11% were new users followers
11,505 increase in profile visits
591% increase in impressions
2,156%
TELLING OUR STORY
Storytelling is a hugely important tool for Special Olympics as it helps us promote the many great achievements of our athletes, volunteers and supporters. Special Olympics Ireland embraces all forms of media. We strive to utilise all available platforms, including traditional media and the ever expanding digital spectrum, to help spread Special Olympics’ message.
2020 STRATEGY
To drive and support a quality year-round sports programme that is embedded in local communities, resourced by vibrant and strong leaders, and offers health and well-being opportunities to athletes with an intellectual disability from four years of age upwards.
www.specialolympics.ie