Laois Community & Voluntary Sports Award Winner 2024 #laoisawards24

The Laois Labs Flag Football Club is the Sports Award winner at the Laois Community and Voluntary Awards 2024.

The Sports Award recognises and celebrates clubs and community organisations that go above and beyond in their efforts to promote community sport and physical activity opportunities.  This award aims to acknowledge groups or organisations that provide a leading role in their communities to help to improve the quality of life and reduce barriers to participation through physical activity or sports.

The citations said Flag American Football is an all-gender sport, for people aged 16 years and older. It is a non-contact version of American Football. Laois Labs benefit the local community through their outreach to disadvantaged communities throughout the county with the health benefits of flag football and through providing inspiration to members of the local community to pursue their passion. Laois Labs also place a focus on ensuring that their club is welcoming to all members of the community.

John Oxley, Laois Public Participation Network presented Laois Labs Flag Football Club with their Galway Crystal Trophy and prize-money of €500. 

The runner-up in this category was St Abban’s Athletic Club which received €250.

Runners up St Abban’s Athletic Club

This award is sponsored by Laois Sports Partnership Company who continue to support and invest in clubs and communities to create an environment that improves activity, health and wellbeing for all the people of Laois.

The other nominees in this category were:

• Laochra Laoise Special Olympics
• Mountrath Health & Fitness Academy
• Timahoe LGFA
• Portlaoise Panthers Basketball Club
• Mountmellick Utd FC
• Trilogy Triathlon Club
• Portlaoise GAA- Town All Stars 

The award was presented with the award at a gala reception in the Midlands Park Hotel on Friday, November 8.  

This is the 15th year of the awards which were hosted by Laois County Council in association with Laois Public Participation Network and sponsored by People First Credit Union.

The full profiles of the nominees in the Sports Award category:

Laochra Laoise Special Olympics Sports Club: Laochra Laoise has made significant contributions to the community through their dedication to promoting inclusivity, resilience, and teamwork in sports. By organising regular training sessions, participating in Special Olympics, and hosting inclusive sports tournaments, they have provided numerous opportunities for individuals with special needs to engage in physical activities, improve their skills, and achieve personal milestones. Laochra Laoise Special Olympics Sports Club's accomplishments highlight their role as a pillar of inclusivity and empowerment, making a lasting impact on the lives of special needs individuals and enriching the community as a whole.

Mountrath Health & Fitness Academy: The Academy is bringing life back to the Mountrath community. After Covid, people were withdrawn and not keen to socialise. The gym has helped people to build confidence, helping body strength, flexibility and coordination while connecting, socialising and helping their mental and emotional health. It is inclusive and has users of all abilities. Events like Bike Week had members of other groups based in Bloom HQ and the community such as the Bikers Shed, Mountrath & District Camera Club and Volunteer Laois all working together.

Timahoe Ladies Football Club: Timahoe Ladies work together with the three GAA Clubs in the vicinity to include Stradbally, Annanough and Timahoe. The clubs provide a social outlet for girls of all age from nursery to senior, encouraging them to stay involved with the club and sports as long as possible. Timahoe Ladies Football Club is a fully run volunteer group with a large Committee who are always willing to help out with the running of the club and with all our fundraising throughout the year.

Portlaoise Panthers Basketball Club: With close to 600 active members and 40 teams ranging from academy to masters, Portlaoise Panthers basketball club is one of the largest basketball clubs in Ireland. The club welcomes platers of all ages and levels of skill. Portlaoise Panthers have teams in Basketball Ireland highest leagues as well as Midland leagues. Recently 4 teams travelled to compete in an international tournament in Barcelona. Their highest achievement is their ability to cater for all teams and all levels.

Laois Labs Flag Football Club: Flag American Football is an all-gender sport, for people aged 16 years and older. It is a non-contact version of American Football. Laois Labs benefits the local community through their outreach to disadvantaged communities throughout the county with the health benefits of flag football and through providing inspiration to members of the local community to pursue their passion. Laois Labs also place a focus on ensuring that their club is welcoming to all members of the community.

St Abban's Athletic Club: The Club is a fantastic example of a volunteer-led organisation within Co Laois. It is run entirely by Volunteers and they enjoy tremendous support from the local community. The club is a huge benefit to its members' health, fitness and mental wellbeing. The club also plays a valuable social role in the rural area within which it is set. St Abban's is an essential part of the social fabric in rural East Co. Laois. Currently, the club is working with twenty-one primary schools to provide access to athletic events such as student games while promoting a healthy lifestyle from a young age linking with programmes such as Daily Mile and Active Schools Week.

Mountmellick United Soccer Club: Since its establishment in 1969 Mountmellick United has been a cornerstone of community spirit and participation for well over 50 years. Initially catering for only senior men the club has evolved with the times and now consist of 32 separate teams at all age groups, catering for boys and girls as young as six years to and over 35s team. Mountmellick United has always been supported by an overwhelming spirit of volunteerism to help this club develop to such a point that they were awarded the prestigious accolade of CCFL Club of the Year just a few months ago.

Trilogy Triathlon Club: Trilogy has over 170 members from across the county with members from teenagers up to 60s and beyond encouraging a healthy and active lifestyle to all its members. The club's Tri Laois event each year brings 300 participants plus their supporters to the county town, which brings in many commercial benefits to the local community.

Portlaoise GAA Club – Town All Stars: The Town All Stars has opened doors for so many children and their families making them invaluable members of the club. Over the years the children have developed skills, and their strength and determination has increased. To see so many children wearing the club colours and playing sport is the greatest feeling in the world and Portlaoise GAA and all involved have made this happen.

The Leinster Express / Laois Live is honoured to be the media partner.