Breeda rewarded for a life and love of sport
Breeda Christie from Tipperary Town has selflessly given more that 40 years of her life to volunteering in the community and the promotion of sports for young people. An inspiration to the many people whose lives, 80-year-old Breeda has touched over the years, the recent acknowledgement of her dedication to the voluntary services could not have gone to a better and more deserving person.
Breeda was one of eleven dedicated volunteers from all over Ireland to be honoured by the Minister of State for Tourism and Sport Michael Ring TD for their outstanding contribution to sport in Ireland. The ‘National Awards to Volunteers in Irish Sport’ took place recently at the Aviva Stadium, to celebrate the volunteers’ contributions to sport in Ireland.
There are over 400,000 people throughout the country who voluntarily dedicate their time every year through their involvement with sports clubs and organisations. These national awards are an initiative of the Department of Transport, Tourism & Sport in conjunction with the Federation of Irish Sports, which represents 68 sports in Ireland. The scheme is also supported by the Community Foundation of Ireland and the Irish Sports Council.
Breeda is founder and president of Community Games Tipperary and has given more than four decades service to athletes and volunteering in sport in Tipperary and still remains as active today as when she first became involved in 1967. She is still the driving force behind Tipperary Town Athletics Club. Generations of people from the town and its environs have been trained and mentored by Breeda and on training nights in rain, hail or snow Breeda opens the track gates, runs the session, ensures all the children are collected and locks the gate once everyone has gone home.
Breeda has also officiated in many roles as an officer of the County Tipperary Community Games. Her commitment to the organisation is so great that she spent the weekend of her 25th wedding anniversary looking after children in Mosney. Thousands of children have enjoyed the fun of being involved in sport thanks to the vision and dedication of Breeda Christie. The values of discipline and respect for others which she has sought to enshrine in all the athletes Breeda hopes will assist them in all aspects of their lives.
The award winners were selected by a committee chaired by Olympic gold medal winner, Ronnie Delany, alongside representatives from the Federation of Irish Sports, Irish Sports Council, The Irish Times, RTÉ and the Department of Transport, Tourism & Sport.
Speaking at the presentation of the awards Minister Ring said that the contribution of volunteers in supporting Irish sports people at every level, from when they first engage in sporting activity right through to developing elite athletes, should not be underestimated.
“Indeed, the army of volunteers who dedicate their time and commitment to each sport in Ireland assist in building strong and healthy communities, while giving everybody the opportunity to be the athletes they are.”
“In presenting these awards today I wish to not only congratulate the 11 volunteers who truly deserve their honours, but I would also like to acknowledge all of the 400,000 people who help to ensure Irish sport is in such a healthy state. Quite simply sport in Ireland wouldn’t function without their incredible efforts, and as a nation we would undoubtedly be worse off.”
Also speaking at the awards, Sarah O’Connor, chief executive of the Federation of Irish Sports, paid tribute to the vast number of hours devoted by volunteers.
“This is invaluable to sport in this country, and it is great that we are able to recognise some of the individuals involved here today. It is important that we are aware of the contributions made by so many people who freely offer time and expertise right around the country every week.
“This voluntary investment has been estimated to have an economic value equivalent of between €322 million and €582 million each year. Even more important however is the reality that without this voluntary investment in sport by so many there simply would not be the same opportunities for the 1.7 million Irish people who actively participate in Irish sport, nor indeed would we have the many success stories that Irish Sport continues to produce year on year.”
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Weather for Clonmel
Thursday 23 February 2012
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