A year of sporting achievement for pupils attending a special Tipperary school

At Scoil Aonghusa in Cashel, sport and physical activity are truly at the heart of school life. With over 150 pupils participating in a wide variety of sports and activities tailored to their abilities and interests, the school is a vibrant, lively place to be.

Over 80 athletes are registered with Ireland Special Olympics, participating in activities and competitions throughout the year.
What a fantastic, fun-filled, and energetic year it has been for the athletes. Physical education empowers every pupil regardless of ability to experience success, build confidence, foster friendships, and feel the joy of achievement.

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The school offers a diverse range of activities and sports to all pupils on a daily basis. Throughout the day, pupils enjoy a small track and playground to play with their friends and to get some much-needed exercise. At the rear of the school, pupils can also avail of a longer walking area plus two small playing pitches providing additional space for activity and movement.

The Special Olympics programme focuses on six main sports: swimming, athletics, equestrian, kayaking, table tennis, and the Motor Activities Training Programme (MATP). These sports, along with many other school-based activities, help each pupil develop confidence, independence, and perseverance, while fostering discipline and strong friendships.
The impact of sport at Scoil Aonghusa goes far beyond physical exercise. It nurtures personal growth, independence and joy, allowing every child to shine and achieve at their own pace.

Swimming

The majority of pupils are involved in a weekly swimming programme which runs all year round. Swimming sessions take place in Tipperary Town Pool, Thurles Pool, Rockwell College Pool, with The Minella Hotel Pool in Clonmel, used by the pre-school class.

Our sincere thanks to Rockwell College for giving us their pool free of charge. Thanks also to Johnny, the lifeguard, for his continued support. While this is an expensive programme to run throughout the year, the school consider it to be very worthwhile.

Swimming is an invaluable life skill benefitting not just pupils but also their families. It opens up another world for them, allowing them to go to the pool together, take weekend breaks with family, enjoy holidays abroad, and benefit from water therapy. Indeed, at this stage, many pupils are better swimmers than their parents!

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In competitive swimming this year over 50 swimmers competed in two Special Olympic swim galas in the University of Limerick and in Waterford. The events started at 15 metres upwards, with many doing 25m front crawl and 25m back crawl, and some even completing a 50m swim. Each pupil committed to the swimming programme with hard work and dedication, which proved fruitful for many athletes who went on to win medals and achieve personal bests.