Avondale All Stars club receive inaugural award
A special award was presented to the Avondale All Stars last Wednesday night.
In the inaugural Cathaoirleach’s Special Recognition Award in Arklow Cllr Pat Kennedy chose to present the award to the Avondale All Stars.
Cllr Kennedy said: ‘ This award is to recognise an outstanding contribution from an individual or group. In the Arklow Municipal District we have many of these individuals and groups that would be worthy of such an award and it wasn’t easy to pick one over another. I made my choice based on the fact that the winning group represents all areas of the Arklow Municipal District and, indeed, many other areas beyond.
‘Avondale All Stars is a sports club for people with an intellectual disability, started in 2007 and based in the RDA Hall in Rathdrum. As Rathdrum is home to residential houses for adults with intellectual disabilities, they have a wide scope of athletes to cater for. Along with these older athletes, there are many children with intellectual disabilities competing who come from other areas such as Annacurra, Aughrim, Arklow, Avoca, and Glenealy.
‘I was touched by the amount of time and energy invested by both the volunteers and parents of the children involved. I am delighted to nominate Avondale All Stars for the first ever Cathaoirleach’s Special Recognition Award. I hope that they will continue to grow and I wish them every success in the future.’
Marie Mullen, Chairperson of Avondale All Stars, accepted the award on behalf of the group and said they were honoured to have been chosen for the Cathaoirleach’s Special Recognition Award. She mentioned the contribution made by everyone involved in the group, pointing out that they are all volunteers and thanked them sincerely.
At a meeting in February the Members of Arklow Municipal District agreed to introduce the Cathaoirleach’s Special Recognition Award which will be an annual award and the recipient will be chosen by the Cathaoirleach.