Final weekend of HSE Community Games National Finals 2011 brings together thousands of children from all over Ireland

The final weekend of the HSE Community Games National Finals 2010 took place over the weekend from Friday 19th to Sunday 21st August, 2011 in Athlone Institute of Technology, County Westmeath.

Weather conditions were excellent and helped in the enjoyment and atmosphere of the weekend. Competitors were determined to give of their best and many new talents emerged from the vast number taking part in the various team and individual competitions.

Killeen and the HSE Community Games set out to break the world record for the number taking part in the 100m sack race. The target to beat was 2095 and while the world record was not broken, it resulted in an evening of fun, excitement and comradeship for all who took part. The children were quoted as saying they had great fun and they will always remember this weekend.

Approximately 3,000 children participated in a number of sporting activities including; Athletics Track and Field, Basketball, Rugby, Futsal, Hurling, Camogie, and Rounders. They were supported by over 600 volunteers and organisers, as well as family members and friends, who came from all corners of the country to offer their support and encouragement to all of the children participating. HSE Community Games mascot Oltan the Owl was on hand supporting and cheering the children and young people throughout the weekend.

Over 200,000 young people from all over Ireland take part in the HSE Community Games qualifiers and Finals every year, making it an essential part of the Irish summer. Following on from a very successful National Final weekend last week, everyone was looking forward to another weekend of competition and enjoyment for the thousands of children attending.

"We hope that all of our participants will have an enjoyable, positive and hopefully memorable experience. We're certainly living in changing times though some things remain constant and true. One of them I believe is the value and vision of our organisation, the purpose and strength it can bring to communities and the opportunity we can provide to young people to explore new pursuits in a healthy fun environment." said Gerry Davenport, President, HSE Community Games.

Dr Nazih Eldin, Head of Health Promotion, Dublin North East, HSE, said Dr Nazih Eldin, Head of Health Promotion, Dublin North East, HSE, said "It is fantastic that 200,000 young people have taken part in the HSE Community Games this year. Congratulations to all who participated and to those who qualified for the finals. This is the key outstanding feature of Community Games, mass participation and involvement is an implicit feature of its culture. There is a culture of engagement and enjoyment as well as competitiveness with young people from across the entire country participating in a fun filled atmosphere. It is part of having a healthy body and a healthy mind".

Every year, the HSE Community Games partnership aims to promote healthy living across all aspects of everyday life including being active, eating well, awareness of the risks of alcohol consumption and the dangers of tobacco. HSE Health Promotion staff were on hand at the HSE Community Games to provide helpful tips for eating well and being active as well as hosting a series of healthy smoothie tastings to show how easy it is to make healthy lifestyle choices for all the family.

Speaking over the weekend, Fiachra O'Mathuna, CEO, HSE Community Games said, "All our National Finals are the accumulation of a lot of hard work from children, parents and volunteers who have been preparing for the last year to reach this point. Great credit and thanks are due to our title sponsor, the HSE, for their continued support, our host venue AIT, for their commitment to the cause and vision as well as the Irish Sports Council and our other partners and sponsors without which any of this would not take place.

HSE Community Games can boast many talented competitors down through the years and this weekend was no different. Three members of the Quinn family from Delvin, Co. Westmeath were competing over the weekend. Eoin competed in the Boys U/10 200m and the U/10 Mixed Relay; Oisin was in the Boys U/16 Marathon and Niamh in the Girls U/14 Relay. Twins, Michelle & Donna Masterson from Dromard, Co.Longford, and Sarah & Tanya Farrell, Lanesboro, Co. Longford, were in fine form as they competed in the Girls U/16 Relay and Girls U/14 relay respectively.

Results from the National Finals can be accessed at: www.communitygames.ie. The website will be updated regularly throughout the finals, with the results from the weekend's activities.