Community Games brings children aged 6-16 together for sports and arts activities in a safe, supportive environment that prioritises participation over winning whilst building stronger, healthier communities.
Founded in 1967, Community Games now operates in over 560 areas across 30 counties, engaging 200,000 children annually with support from 10,000 volunteers and 1.3 million supporters. The organisation maintains strong partnerships with Local Sports Partnerships, which provide training courses including Code of Ethics, First Aid, and Active Leadership at minimal cost.
The national festival takes place each August at Athlone Institute of Technology, where 8,000 children compete after progressing through area and county competitions. Child safety remains paramount, with comprehensive protection policies developed in conjunction with the Code of Conduct.
Volunteers consistently report transformative experiences, with one noting: "I've given a lot of time and years to this Organisation but I have got it all back tenfold!" The programme's success stems from its child-centred approach, focusing on participation rather than winning, helping young people understand the positive lifelong impact of sports and arts involvement.
http://www.communitygames.ie/calendar
http://www.communitygames.ie/policies.html
How to get involved
Time:
You will need to commit 4 hours a week to get this going.
Community Games is already up and running in more than 500 communities across Ireland. If there is no group yet in your area, we can help you to set one up. Just follow our 5-step-guide to learn what's involved and click on start to register your interest. If there is already a group where you live, why not start volunteering and join over 10,000 volunteers around the country? Find your nearest group.
Links