A Dublin based Special Olympics Club, Swords Basketball Club has been awarded €500 from Gala Retail as part of the Gala Gifts for Clubs initiative.

Gala Retail, a platinum sponsor of Special Olympics Ireland, launched the Gala Gifts for Clubs initiative to recognise and reward the fantastic work of Special Olympics Clubs across Ireland. Special Olympics Clubs are headed by volunteers who dedicate their time and knowledge through coaching, development, and support of Special Olympics Ireland athletes.

For the last decade, Swords Basketball Special Olympics Club has fostered inclusivity and community in the Swords area. The club hold weekly sessions for 30 athletes using basketball to empower individuals The focus of the club is not only on the sport but also on fostering friendship and togetherness.

Coach Chloe Farrell from Swords comments “We are delighted to win Gala’s November Club of the Month. Swords Basketball Special Olympics Club hopes to demonstrate the power of sport in building inclusive communities within our town. The club values friendship, acceptance, and celebration; we organise bowling parties, social nights, and end-of-season parties and have been very lucky to travel to events with Special Olympics Ireland such as movie premieres and our competitions which we love playing in.

“We have recently changed our club logo so we would love to put the prize money towards buying new training t-shirts, so we all match during our sessions with our new logo. Thank you, Gala, for supporting all the Special Olympics clubs and for picking us this month to be Club of the Month!”

Speaking about the Gala Gifts for Clubs initiative, Tony Cluskey, Marketing & Ambient Trading Manager at Gala Retail, added: “Through our partnership with Special Olympics, Gala has consistently been amazed by the dedication and hard work demonstrated by athletes, volunteers, and coaches in every Special Olympics Club nationwide.

The ‘Gala Gifts for Clubs’ initiative aims to acknowledge and honour the commendable efforts of Clubs in supporting their athletes and volunteers. Chloe Farrell should be commended for her great work in promoting an environment of enjoyment for both athletes and volunteers. Gala is proud to present them with a Gala Gift for Clubs as a gesture of our appreciation for their outstanding contributions.”

Since 2015, Gala Retail has been proud, platinum partners for Special Olympics Ireland. In collaboration with the organisation, Gala Retail has joined forces to grant rewards to clubs throughout Ireland as part of the Gala Gifts for Clubs program. This initiative aims to illustrate the remarkable efforts and commitment of Special Olympics Ireland clubs nationwide.