'Brought their confidence on': Longford athletes set for Fitness Inclusion Games
The Irish Wheelchair Association’s (IWA) event will take place on Wednesday, May 7
Twenty athletes from Longford are set to take part in Irish Wheelchair Association’s (IWA) trailblazing Fitness Inclusion Games in Dublin on Wednesday, May 7.
The group will join 130 other athletes from across the country at the Fitness Inclusion Games, which brings athletes with physical disabilities from across Ireland together for a dedicated day of inclusive fitness competition and fun.
Taking place at the prestigious National Indoor Arena on the Sport Ireland Campus, the Games will see 150 participants compete in adapted team challenges designed to test strength, endurance and skill.
Now in its second year, the Fitness Inclusion Games are helping to build momentum for more inclusive fitness opportunities across Ireland, addressing the ongoing barriers many people with physical disabilities face when accessing gyms and competitive sport.
Cillian Flynn (22) from Longford Town will be taking part in the Fitness Inclusion Games, and he’s been training hard for the past few months to prepare.
“I’ve been doing some circuits in the gym – I’ve found it pretty awesome. I was walking with weights, the dumbbells, then throwing a weighted ball at the wall five times, then jumping, skipping, crossing this bridge, then stretching with these bands. It’s given me more confidence and energy.”
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He adds: “I’m sure I’ll have a lot of fun with it. I’m looking forward to meeting new people and making the most out of the day.”
Jason Teague (25) is a wheelchair user from Kenagh and says he has “loved” preparing and training for the Fitness Inclusion Games.
“It’s definitely boosted my confidence. Sometimes I do think to myself, oh I can’t do such a thing because of being in a wheelchair, but the staff at IWA push me to try new things, and that helps build my confidence. They do push my confidence.”
Jason took part in last year’s Fitness Inclusion Games too, and speaks highly of the experience.
“I really enjoyed it last year. Each competitor got a medal at the end of it and I actually got a bit emotional when that happened.”
Catherine O’Leary, Young Adult Support Worker at IWA Longford, said that taking part in the Fitness Inclusion Games has encouraged some of their members who have never participated in sport before to get involved.
“It’s brought their confidence on, they see what it does for them – it’s about inclusion, mixing with others, learning to use equipment at the gym, and seeing their own strengths and what they are capable of. It pushes them and encourages them.”
Through IWA’s Fitness Inclusion Project, IWA is committed to delivering real and lasting impact, ensuring more people with disabilities can enjoy the physical, mental and social benefits of being active in their communities.
Inspired by CrossFit and Hyrox, the Games feature adapted workouts, enabling athletes of all abilities to take part in a supportive and high-energy environment.
The Fitness Inclusion Project began as a small pilot in Drogheda in 2022 and has since grown into a national initiative, with programmes now running in locations including Navan, Galway and several areas in Dublin.