Swim star helps launch new Down's Syndrome sports group
by Noelle Finegan Updated: Wednesday, 23rd February, 2011 4:44pm
Carol O'Brien, national coach, Dublin Lord Mayor Gerry Breen, Eleanor Murray, Trim (front) and Olympic swimmer Aisling Cooney.
A new national body, the Irish Down's Syndrome Sporting Organisation, was launched by Dublin Lord Mayor Gerry Breen and Meath swimming star Eleanor Murray at a special event last week.
The aim of the new body is to develop the sporting ability and talent of young people with Down's Syndrome from the age of six upwards, by establishing a network of sporting and swimming clubs across the country.
The intention is that this local talent will ultimately feed into national teams that can compete at international events.
The new organisation is calling for interested volunteers and mentors to contact Margaret Carroll, chairperson, on (086) 154 0652.
The new body has been borne out of the recent success of the national Down's Syndrome swim team which won 12 medals at the World Down's Syndrome Swimming Championships in Taiwan.
Eleanor, who is from Trim, won gold in the 50 metre freestyle event at the games and was recently named Young Meath Sportsperson of the Year at the Meath Chronicle/Cusack Hotel Group Meath Sports Awards for 2010.
Margaret Carroll, chairperson of the new Irish Down's Syndrome Sporting Organisation, said: "We are calling on interested parents to contact us with a view to working with us to establish local sporting and swim clubs across the country that will nurture future national talent such Eleanor's."
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