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Athletics coach Paula Henry with Tim Pollmann-Daamen, Basit Oyebanji and Sean Pollmann-Daamen the launch of the Tralee International Children’s Games team heading to Kaunas next month. Photo by Dermot Crean
ATHLETES and their families gathered in The Rose Hotel on Thursday night as final preparations are made for the Tralee International Children’s Games trip to Lithuania early next month.
Eighteen young Kerry athletes are all set for the trip of a lifetime to this year’s International Children’s Games and Cultural Festival in Kaunas, from July 4-9.
Since the athletes were selected in February much planning, preparation and fundraising efforts have been completed and Tralee will now be represented for the 13th successive year at the Games.
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The Tralee team will consist of girls’ 3 v 3 basketball, boys’ 6 a side soccer, judo and track and field.
The Kaunas Games are eagerly anticipated by the young athletes as they prepare to pit their skill and wit against their peers from 90 cities, representing 40 countries, at the largest annual multi-sport youth event in the world.
The girls’ basketball team will face opposition from Tripoli, Libya; Raanana of Israel and the home favourites Kaunas of Lithuania in what is seen as a very strong group.
Deputy Mayor of Tralee, Norma Foley, with Chairman of Tralee ICG Mike Culloty (left) judo team members Christopher Palmer, Sean Murphy and Marco Antonio Kauric and judo coach Danny Roche at the launch of the Tralee International Children’s Games team heading to Kaunas next month. Photo by Dermot Crean
The judo squad will compete against judokas from the Ukraine, Israel and Holland-strongholds of the sport, while on the track Tralee could face athletes from Europe, Asia or North America in the 400m and 1500m events.
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The draw for the soccer team sees them do battle with Kecskemet of Hungary, Garliava of Lithuania and Pesnica of Slovenia in their group games.
“The international aspect of the event is most exciting for everyone involved” says Mike Culloty, Tralee ICG Secretary.
Chairman of Tralee ICG Mike Culloty and soccer team coach Paul Dolan with soccer players, front from left; Philip Evans, Junior Ankomah, Leo Gaxha, Sean McGrath. Back; Padraig Hilliard, Soni Rramani, Kevin Goulding and Sean Kennedy at the launch of the Tralee International Children’s Games team heading to Kaunas next month. Photo by Dermot Crean
“It presents our young athletes with a fresh and exciting challenge in their sporting life and the experience can only benefit them in the long term. We are very proud that we are again able to participate and represent Tralee Municipal District and Kerry County Council at the event this year and we offer our sincere gratitude to all who have helped and supported our fundraising activities in recent months, without which this would not be possible. The levels of support received has been excellent and we wish to acknowledge the contributions made by parents and families, local businesses, and the general public at large to our bag packing days, bake sales and the sale of raffle tickets.”
The young athletes who will represent Tralee in Kaunas are as follows:
Soccer: Sean Mc Grath (Park FC), Philip Evans, Leo Gaxha, Junior Ankomah, Sean Kennedy, Soni Rramani, (Tralee Dynamos), Padraig Hilliard, (Castleisland FC), Kevin Goulding (Ratoo Rovers)
Basketball: Rachel Kilgallen, Aoife Dillane, Mary O Connell, Rebecca Conway (Tralee Imperials)
Deputy Mayor of Tralee, Norma Foley, with basketball team coach Liam Culloty and team members Sarah Kilgallen, Aoife Dillane, Rebecca Conway and Mary O’Connell at the launch of the Tralee International Children’s Games team heading to Kaunas next month. Photo by Dermot Crean
Judo: Chris Palmer, Sean Murphy, Marco Antonio Kauric (Kerry School of Judo)
Athletics: Basit Oyejambi, (Tralee Harriers), Sean Pollmen-Daamen, Tim Pollmen-Daamen (An Riocht)
The Head of Delegation for Tralee will be John Byrne, while Paul Dolan, Liam Culloty, Danny Roche and Paula Henry will be in charge of the various teams in Kaunas.
The teams will be supported by 24 travelling parents and family members who have also decided to travel to the event and provide vocal and other support to the teams.
The Tralee teams return on Sunday, July 9, hopefully after a successful week and after having a great time.
The Tralee team and coaches at the launch of the Tralee International Children’s Games team heading to Kaunas next month. Photo by Dermot Crean
