Community Games all set for 50th anniversary
THE WEXFORD Community Games officer board met recently and sat down to begin the process of organising the 2017 season of activities.
This year marks the 50th anniversary celebrations of the founding of the Games movement in Walkinstown, Co. Dublin, in 1967. To coincide with the celebrations, the national finals have changed from Athlone I.T. and will now take place in the National Sports Campus, Abbotstown, Co. Dublin.
There are some changes too, with the May festival weekend being brought back. This event will take place on May 6. The national finals in August will take place over the weekend of the 18th.
At the moment the County Board is concentrating on events that will be held in May, and as such there are some changes with some county events being brought forward.
The following events will take place at the May festival: futsal, badminton, spike-ball, cross-country events (middle distance relays and marathon), debating, judo, gymnastics, rugby (tag Under-11 and Under-14 and mini Under-11), soccer (girls’ Under 12 seven-a-side and girls’ Under-15), swimming, table-tennis, draughts, chess and table quiz. UPCOMING EVENTS Thursday, February 9: county chess finals - forward entries by February 2.
Saturday, February 18: draughts finals in Bree Hall - forward entries to the county Secretary by February 11.
Wednesday, February 22: county swimming finals, Enniscorthy pool; warm-ups at 5 p.m. and event beginning at 5.30 p.m. - entries by Wednesday, February 15.
Thursday, March 2: county table quiz to be held in the Ferrycarrig Hotel. Registration at 6.30 p.m. and the competition starts at 7 p.m.
Saturday, March 11: county art and handwriting competitions in Castlebridge National School. All competitors to be entered on the O.R.S. by March 4.
Areas interested in competing in futsal, girls’ soccer, badminton, table-tennis or any of the other team events for the May festival should inform the county Secretary.
Vetting is required for any person who carries out work activities which mainly consists of them having access to or contact with children. If you are volunteering with Community Games in any capacity, as a team manager, an assistant or an officer, you must get Garda vetting. The two-part forms may be downloaded on the Community Games website: www.communitygames.ie
Once again Carlow will host the 2017 Leinster semi-finals and finals. To determine the May weekend qualifiers, the events will take place on April 2.
Wexford will once again have Kilkenny and Carlow in their Zone. Kilkenny will play Carlow at home in round one, with Wexford travelling to play the winners in round two.