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Omagh Spires Special Olympics Club
AGM - 2025-2026
Omagh Leisure Centre — Minor Hall
Wednesday 25" March 2026, 6:30-7:30pm
Minutes
Introduction
Siobhan Armstrong (Chairperson) welcomed everyone to the 22" AGM for Omagh Spires Special Olympics Club. Start AGM with a minutes silence for our dear friend and committee member, Rosemary McAleer and for all those families who have been bereaved and lost family members in the last year.
- Approval of the last AGM minutes — approved and seconded.
Review of last years sporting events - regional Advancement competitions in all four sports
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Bocce -4 athletes - Ellie, Katie, Padraig and Jack achieved gold medals with chance to progress. 3 selected to compete in Ireland games — Katie, Padraig and Jack. Ellie was then picked on the second selection, fantastic for all 4 to qualify for the Ireland Games.
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Oo Swimming - 18 athletes received gold with a chance to progress to the Ireland Games. We had a number of athletes qualify, however some families felt it wasn’t the right time for them. We now have 4 qualified for the Ireland Games - Lee, Ciaran, Orla and Thomas, great result.
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Athletics - 6 athletes received gold at the regional advancement, at the selection we were lucky enough to get 2 athletes qualify for the Ilreland Games — Richard and Nicole, another great result.
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Footballers were not so fortunate and Omagh did not get any athletes selected, however, after some other athletes declined, Omagh were lucky to get 2 athletes qualifying— Marshall and Keelan
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Asaclub this is great achievement for 12 athletes to qualify for the Ireland Games. This is the most that we have ever had qualify for the Ireland Games. | would like to thank all the coaches in each sport for their dedication in getting the athletes to this stage.
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- Ass wellas the athletes going to the games, we have been given 3 volunteers, myself, Joan and Callum who will support our athletes in Dublin.
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As well as advancement competitions, there has also been leagues in which all athletes have been given the opportunity to compete. Athletes are encouraged to get involved as
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this prepares them for the bigger competitions. The leagues are both home and away, giving everyone an equal chance. As a club we know that only a selection of athletes get the chance to compete in the bigger competitions which is why we feel it important to take part in the leagues and keep this key for all athletes.
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Before we move on from sports , important for new athletes/ families to understand the process:
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Areas—Gold medal = automatic qualification for Regional competition
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o Regionals - Gold Medal = lucky dip to Ireland Games o ltreland Games — Gold Medal = lucky dip to World Games o World Games
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Thisisa4year cycle running the same as Olympic Games
Social Events
2025-26 seen club host annual awards night in Silver Birches on 27™ June 2025 with 32 athletes receiving individual awards.
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8swimming
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- 8Bocce
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8Athletics
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- 8 football - 3volunteer awards - 4shield awards
These awards recognise the hard work our athletes put into their sports. League medals were also given out for Swimming, Bocce and Football.
December we also held our annual Christmas Party with over 150 attending, a great night was had by all withan appearance from Santa and the Grinch. Our social events are very important in the club as a means for athletes to mix outside their normal sports.
Fundraising
Joan Noble ~ 20 years in business — Riverfront café, raffle and hot chocolate on night of the Christmas Light switch on, with donations going to Omagh Spires Special Olympics-[this][raised] £5000 for the club.
Connor Quinn from Coach Inn agreed to hold Night at the Races with Joan/Rosemarie Fox, this was another successful night raising £3412.
Keelan Campbell and Callum Armstrong both ran in separate marathons raising a total of almost £4000. The money Callum raised was to be shared between the athletes and
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chaperones who qualified for the Ireland Games, with all athletes being given £100 towards their fees.
Mary and Ann Teague along with Anne Cullen made and sold ST Brigids Crosses with all proceeds going to the Club — a total of £419.69 Cormac, Grainne and the Quinn family donated £1000 towards the club and the Games.
Aidan Giboney gave a donation of £300 towards the club.
Peter Watterson —- Rotary Club has donated £700 to the club
McAleer family in lieu of flowers have donated £365
Jack Armstrong is due to run Omagh Half Marathon this Sunday to raise money for all athletes going to the games, if everyone could consider making a small donation to show support to our athletes going to the games, it would be much appreciated.
Year Ahead 2026-2027
Each year continue to grow, which is great but not without problems, year on year we continue to welcome new athletes with closure of Enniskillen club and leisure centre, we have taken on some additional athletes, whom we welcome here tonight.
Volunteer situation continues to be a struggle. We encourage everyone here tonight to think about giving an hour a week to help out. We have spoken to Belfast and there is a new initiative that new clubs starting off, each athlete must have a family member registered as a volunteer and attend at least 10 sessions. This may be something the committee may have to consider in the future for the club to continue. We have been able to welcome some young volunteers from local schools who are willing to volunteer for a couple of years before they move on to uni etc.
Our vision for the club is to continue growing the club within our capabilities. Swimming is the highest demand sport.
We will continue to work on improving the club and if any families have any suggestions, we are open to hearing these, sometimes during training sessions it is not always possible to talk but | am willing to meet for a coffee to discuss any ideas or suggestions you may have.
With Ireland Games coming up now in June our athletes will continue their training over the coming months and | hope that you will continue to support our athletes. Your athlete may not be here for this 4 year cycle but in the future we hope yours will.
Social media -love it or loath it, it is part of our society and e do have to embrace it, it is the future the club has been workingto promote and grow the club and this is where we start.
Secretary’s Report —- Alison Givens - attached
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Treasurer Report - Anne Cullen deputies for Gareth Thomas — attached
Election of Officers
As we have said in previous AGM’s, we need positions filled, most of our committee have held their positions for a number of years and are ready to step down. Tonight, we will be looking for new people to shadow these officers for a year. They will be trained and mentored for the year to be able to fulfil the role. | would ask everyone to really think about taking up a role
Lorraine Armstrong — gives a brief overview of the safeguarding role
Siobhan gives a brief overview of membership officer looking after Just Go management
Siobhan gives a brief overview of Treasurer
Alison gives a brief overview of secretary role
Election of officers
Chairperson — Siobhan Armstrong proposed by Lorraine Armstrong and seconded by Derek
(Siobhan has clarified that she will be stepping down after the 4 year cycle and would like someone to come forward now to shadow her)
Safeguarding officer-Sue Robinson has put herself forward, proposed by Khadija Priestley and seconded by Lesley crozier
Membership Officer — Noelle Slevin, proposed by Khadija Priestley and seconded by Lorraine Armstrong
Secretary — Alison Givens to continue for another year — still look for someone to come forward to train with Alison for the next year.
Treasurer — Gareth Thomas to continue for another year -- still look for someone to come forward to train with Gareth for the next year.
Athlete Leader has been chosen by committee as Emma McAleer
Siobhan thanks everyone who has chosen to stay in their position or taken up a new position and welcome them into club
Siobhan thanks athletes, volunteers, coaches and families for attending the 22"° AGM for the year 2026-2027 and like to thank everyone who makes our club so good — coaches:
Swimming —- Andrew and Stephen
Boccee — Davy and Khadija
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Athletics —-Jeni and Joan
Football—- Callum
To all the volunteers who turn out week on week to look after the athletes. Finally, to the committee that sits with me once a month who help to make hard but very important decisions for the club. | hope you all know that | really appreciate your help.
Athlete Leader — Emma McAleer to close meeting with the oath and| wish you all a lovely Easter holiday.