Council Chair hosts a reception for the Sports Bursary Recipients in Fermanagh
17th October 2023
Recently the Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Councillor Thomas O’Reilly hosted a reception in The Townhall, Enniskillen, for the Fermanagh recipients of the Council’s Sorts Bursary Programme.
The following is a copy of the speech delivered by the Chair at the Reception:
Good evening, Councillors, ladies and gentlemen
As Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, I am delighted to welcome you all here to the Townhall in Enniskillen this evening for this reception in honour of recipients of the Council’s Sports Bursary Scheme.
I would like to extend a particularly warm welcome to the recipients who have joined us this evening – Kyra Duffy, Dale Fisher, Jason Gallagher, Emily Hanna, Emma McIlwaine, Flavia Ramedios, Aine Rice, Sarah Rutledge and Lily Tunney.
Fermanagh and Omagh District Council’s Sports Bursary Scheme aims to support individuals and teams from the Council area who have participated at a National or International level in their chosen sport.
Each of you here this evening have achieved this representing yourself, your club and your District at the Children on Horses Showjumping European Championships in Italy, Taekwondo International World Championships in Coventry, Acrobatic Gymnastics National Finals in Stoke on Trent or Acrobatic Gymnastics Inter Regional Finals in Southampton.
To achieve your place at a National or International level competition was a significant achievement as you had to compete in various selection processes.
Participating in a sport has many benefits including improved health and wellbeing, opportunities to meet new people and make new friends, develop lifelong transferrable skills such as showing commitment, following instructions, being resilient and being a team player in some cases. However, it is important to note that this does not come without hard work and dedication to train and attend the various competitions alongside school, work and personal commitments.
Competing at a National or International level I am sure increases the demands on you and your time. However, it also brings with it the opportunity to travel, make lifelong memories and represent your District and even your country. You have all achieved this demonstrating these skills and qualities.
Each of you have excelled in your field and as you continue your sporting endeavours, it is important to remember that ‘medals are not a measure of success’. Every time you compete in your chosen sport, you develop as a person and this is also an important achievement.
Fermanagh and Omagh District Council is committed to ensuring that our people are healthy and well and have the opportunity to fulfil their lifelong potential. Through the Sports Bursary Scheme we can achieve this by encouraging our residents to be active and pursue their sporting dreams at the highest level.
The famous American swimmer, Michael Phelps, once said: “You dream. You Plan. You reach. There will be obstacles. There will be doubters. There will be mistakes. But with hard work, belief and confidence and trust in yourself and those around you, there are no limits.”
On behalf of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, and on my own behalf, I would like to congratulate you all on your sporting achievements. You dreamt of competing at top level competitions, you planned your journey through commitment to training and attendance at various heats and you had confidence and trust in yourself that you could reach your goal and you achieved this. I am confident that you will continue to work hard and have the confidence and belief that there are no limits on what you can achieve and you will continue to compete at the highest levels.
You should know that your achievements will have inspired others who are competing in their chosen sport that dreams and success are possible.
Each of you have done yourself, your family and friends, your club, your District and your country proud and I would like to wish you every success for the future.
Thank you.