RUGBY legend Paul O’Connell is calling on volunteers to line out with him at the Special Olympic Ireland Games which take place in the city this summer.
From June 12 to 15, a total of 1,500 athletes will compete for Olympic glory when the Games return to Limerick following their Treaty city success in 2010.
Ireland rugby captain Paul O’Connell, who is an ambassador for the Special Olympic Ireland Games, has issued a rallying call to sign up 3,000 volunteers in the next two month to ensure the success of the 2014 event.
“Getting involved as a volunteer at the 2014 Special Olympics Ireland Games will be an unforgettable and rewarding experience. We all need to help Special Olympics Ireland reach its target of recruiting 3,000 volunteers to ensure that these Games are a huge success for all of the athletes involved. Your involvement is vital and is guaranteed to make a real difference,” he said.
The Special Olympic Ireland Games promise to be Ireland’s largest and most prestigious sporting event this year. 1,500 athletes will descend on the city, accompanied by 500 coaches and official delegates as well as a contingent of over 3,000 family members.
The Games will be supported by a team of 3,000 volunteers who will be recruited from Limerick and surrounding counties over the coming months. Athletes will compete in 13 sports in venues throughout Limerick. As well as being the main residential centre, the University of Limerick will host the athletics, aquatics, basketball, football, gymnastics, kayaking competitions and the non-competitive motor activities training programme.
Special Olympics Ireland CEO, Matt English, said the success of the Games will be down to the support of volunteers.
“To date we have already signed up a good number of volunteers. We will need the support of lots of different organisations and individuals to achieve all that we need to but I know that the people of Limerick will rise to the occasion as so many have done already,” he said.
Anyone interested in volunteering for the Special Olympics or wishing to make a donation can do so by emailing limerick2014@specialolympics.ie or by calling lo-call 1850 555 222.
