Laois Community & Voluntary Sports Award Winner 2023 #laoisawards

The Oughaval Athletic Club is the 2023 Sports Category winner at the Laois Community and Voluntary Awards 2023.

The judge, Ms Orla Burke of Cork City Public Participation Network, stated that Oughaval AC has shown outstanding commitment to the development of its own athletes, coaches, and volunteers. She found that its leadership around outreach and inclusion shows a clear commitment to the wider community.

"Well done to all involved and wishing you continued success with your ambitious future," she concluded.

Clive Davis, People First Credit Union, presented the winners with a Galway Crystal Plate and prize money of €500.

Paddy Buggy, Laois Public Participation Network, presented the runner-up prize in this category to Portarlington RFC Port Dara Rugby. The runner-up received prize money of €250. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

The Sports award recognises groups and schools that focus on physical health, increasing the numbers of people participating in sports, particularly those with a low participation rate and this Award is sponsored by People First Credit Union and by Laois Sports Partnership CLG, who continue to support and invest in clubs and communities to create an environment that improves activity, health and wellbeing for all the people of Laois.

The following is the full list of nominees in the Sports Award section who also received Certificates of Achievement for their contribution to their communities.

• Portarlington RFC / Port Dara Rugby
• Timahoe Ladies Mother & Others
• St Abban's Fit4Life
• Laois Labs Flag Football Club
• Portlaoise RCS U14 Girls Rugby
• Oughaval Athletic Club

The award was presented with the award at a gala reception in the Midlands Park Hotel on Friday, November 3.  

This is the 14th year of the awards which were hosted by Laois County Council in association with Laois Public Participation Network and sponsored by People First Credit Union.

Here are the full profiles of the nominees in the Sports Award category:

Portarlington RFC / Port Dara Rugby: Port Dara Rugby is a subsidiary of Portarlington & Cill Dara rugby clubs and is funded by membership, fundraising and sponsorship of both clubs. They had 30 players over the last three years that represented North Midlands area u20s, u18s they had 4 Leinster players last year, 4 the year before and three Ireland over last two years culminating in Alanna Fitzpatrick recently securing a professional contract and playing for Ireland in the recentEuropean 7 a side tournament. Their goals are to continue to develop their players to representative while also developing their senior structure to a second team and to push for All Ireland league promotion so that their players will not have to go to the cities to play rugby.

Timahoe Ladies Mother & Others: Timahoe Ladies are about providing a safe and nurturing environment for all their young girls to enjoy Gaelic Games. They want their girls to develop and achieve their full potential, while promoting fair play, respect, and equality. These are qualities which They believe all young girls need to progress in life; what better way to develop these qualities than through the medium of sport.  They currently have over 150 girls & their families involved with playing, training and fundraising without club. The players range in age from 4yrs to 18yrs. The girls are involved in regular training and there are many games throughout the season.

St Abban's Fit4Life: This group is set up for both men and women in their local community and further beyond. They have members coming from all across Laois. They also have members both young and old participating in their annual Fit4Life league. They encourage people to become fit and healthy through a variety of ways. Members are encouraged to improve physically in a supportive and social environment. They also do a wide variety of activities such as social dancing which help to extend us to a wider variety of people. Every year They run a summer league which goes to different parts of Laois.

Laois Labs Flag Football Club: Flag American Football is an all-gender sport, for people aged 16 years and older. It is a non-contact version of American Football. Much like tag rugby is to rugby. Laois Labs Flag Football Club is a Flag Football Club founded in 2022 by a group of friends passionate about Flag Football, and their home county of Laois. Laois Labs Flag Football Club was founded to tackle the lack of opportunities to play Flag Football in Laois, and to reach out to the local community & promote the benefits of Flag Football.

Portlaoise RCS U14 Girls Rugby: - U14 Girls playing Rugby - both those who have played before and new players. The U14 Girls coaching team and volunteers deserve the award because of the immense amount of work they have done over the years to promote underage girls’ rugby in Portlaoise, it must also be noted that the Girls finished 1st place North Leinster League, won division 1 All-Leinster League & won Leinster cup showing that commitment, determination, and support is a recipe for success, in more ways than one.  The U14 Girls coaching team and volunteers deserve the award because of the immense amount of work they have done over the years to promote underage girls’ rugby in Portlaoise.

Oughaval Athletic Club: Oughaval Athletic Club is run by a small and very dedicated group of coaches. With limited facilities at the local GAA Club, the coaches provide opportunities for children to take part in a wide variety of events. This allows children to find the event that best suits their own interest or ability, whether this is a running, jumping, or throwing event. Coaches develop training plans that are varied and fun for all involved.  In the past 18 months, Oughaval AC has developed separate training for adults, twice weekly, which has been very successful. The group is growing and is open to anyone interested in improving their fitness levels. Both juvenile and adult groups support the weekly adult 5k Parkrun and junior 2k Parkrun, thereby boosting the numbers in this event.

The Leinster Express / Laois Live is honoured to be the media partner.