All roads lead to Athlone
Thousands of enthusiastic young boys and girls from the four corners of the country will descend on Athlone A.I.T. for the HSE Community Games National Finals over the next two weekends where they will take part in a huge range of exciting sport and cultural activities. Westmeath will have up to two hundred competitors and officials taking part in the finals and we hope that these two weekends will very memorable and successful for all taking part. For all those neutral sport enthusiasts, there is something going on over the two weekends to suit everyone. We outline below the time table for both weekends and if you have any further questions, please contact us immediately at 087 7755984. Westmeath are number 18 in the County Draw.New Format For Opening CeremonyThis year we are breaking away from the traditional opening ceremony where there will be no parade and no speeches. The Youth Committee who are organising this event would like to invite all the children in the county to the Community Games Opening Ceremony on this Friday, August 13th in the AIT, Athlone at 5.45pm in the all weather pitch. Children and adults will assemble for a Jamboree where entertainment will be provided by a D.J. and a number of acts will perform from a specially erected stage.There will be a short break for the Official Opening where the Community Games flag will arrive by parachute in the middle of the event. It will be raised on the flag pole, the pledge will be read, bowl of light lit and the Games declared open by the President. The event should last for about an hour and a half or so and we hope to see all the children attend this fun event, which should be exciting.Note - Only Official photographers can take photos at Swimming and Gymnastics. Photos can be taken at presentations.I.D. Badges - Missing or lost I.D. Badges can only be replaced with the competitor accompanying the County Manager to the administration office and also having with them €5.00 to pay for the replacement badge.Contact Number - Please let your Area Team Managers/parents know that they should contact Westmeath County Manager at 087 7755984 for replacement badges etc. anytime during both weekends.Fees - A reminder to Areas that all outstanding monies MUST be paid prior to National Finals.Best wishes - We would like to take this opportunity to wish all our competitors taking part over both weekends the very best of luck and hope that the finals will be a most enjoyable and happy experience for all.Qualifiers for first weekendBeechpark/Coosan - Orla Mooney Variety + U-14 F/S. Sarah Lough Variety; Sinead Reidy, Variety + U-14 Br./S.; Eileen Reidy Variety; Chloe Rowan Variety; Aisling Golden Variety; Cliodhna Golden Variety; Danielle Peppard Variety ; Sam Doyle Variety; Ciara Egan Variety; Jack Quinn Variety; Charlene Peppard Variety; Niamh Brady Variety; Bill Kelly Variety + U-12 F/S., U-13 Squad; Brendan Gibbons U-16 F/S.; Ciaran McDermott U-12 Bk/S. + U-13 Squad; David McNamara U-13 Squad; Robert Kelly U-10 F/S.; Shane Gibbons U-13 Squad; Eoin Meaney, U-14 Br./S + U-13 Squad; Adam Geraghty U-13 Squad; Brianna Geoghegan U-10 F/S.; Dimitrije Sreckovic U-8 Gym.D.L.B.C. - William Hayes U-14 Bk/S; Sinead Whelan, U-16 Bk/S;The Downs - Cathal Faulkner U-12 Cycling; Jack Kennedy U-14 Cycling; Rebecca Kelly U-14 Bk./S.Tubberclair/Glasson - Ciara Quigley U-10 Bk/S.Moate - Rhys Rowlands U-10 Bk/SBallinea/Brotenstown - Donal Liddy U-14 F/SDrumraney/Tang - Niamh McNamara U-16 B/FlyMt. Temple/Baylin - Dearbala Duignan U-12 Bk./S; Aoife Connolly U-12 Br. /S.Ballymahon Road - Aidan Mannion, U-16 Gym.Delvin - Caoimhe Gaffney U-16 Gym.Tailteann (St. Brigids) - Emma Broughton U-14 Gym.Kilbeggan - Aine Egan, Amy Daly, Aoife Horan, Nicole Finn, Laura Coffey, (pitch and putt team).Retreat - Myles Duffy U-12 Br./S.; Eric Kearney U-16 Bk/S.; Kate Brennan U-14 CyclingSt. Munnas/T./T. - Ruaire Fagan U-8 F/S; Roisin Fagan U-12 F/S + U-13 Squad; Lucy McCarton, Emily Broderick, Daria Fidgeon, Eleanor Cox (all U-13 Squad).Multyfarnham - Andrew Finnerty U-10 Gym.Gains town - Clodagh Bradley U-8 F/S.Kinnegad/Corals town - Sarah Gorry U-8 Gym.; Orlaith Murray U-10 Gym.; Nicole Gorry U-12 Gym.Ballymore - Jor-El McLoughlin U-12 Gym.; Siobhan Ryan U-16 Bk/S.Killucan/Raharney - Emer Kelly U-12 CyclingWestmeath TopsIf you want to have one of the new Westmeath tops for the National Finals, then you must contact Brid Leydon immediately at 087 2584691. There are only a few days left, so make contact today. The tops (with hood) which are navy in colour with the Westmeath logo on front and “Westmeath Community Games” on the back. The price is reasonable, €20 for children and €25 for adults.