ATHLETE LEADERSHIP PROGRAM FORUM
Where was the location for the ALP’S Leadership forum?
The forum was held in castleknock hotel.
What time did the athlete forum start and finish at?
The forum Started at 10.30am and it finished at 15:30 hours.
Who attended the athlete forum?
The forum was attended by over 60 Athletes from the Eastern and Leinster region.
Who organised the athlete forum ?
Adam Rochford , the regional development officer (clubs), Shauna ran the successful event along with a wonderful team of Volunteers / Friends from Bank of America as well as Special Olympics Ireland. The TEAM was keen to ensure that every detail was perfect so that all the athletes would have a wonderful day to remember especially since it was the FIRST forum after 3 years due to the pandemic.
What programmes/Activities were on the day?
There was the introduction to welcome the programme and talking about how it was the first time in three years to have this programme in person.
Then there was a nutritionist talking about how to keep healthy and we all got involved by giving our opinions and our thoughts.
Followed on was fitness exercise led by Tom, league of Ireland football player.
Finally we did more fitness activities and it was fun and good.
Was there any Award ceremony at the end of the day?
Yes there was and few people including myself got an award.
I completed my bronze award and The award was presented by the best Ireland footballer if not a legend Niall Quinn.
It was so wonderful to get the award from him and also to talk to him.
Thanks to Adam who made this happen!!
It was so wonderful to get the award from Ireland’s football legend Niall Quin
Did you enjoy the Athlete leadership program forum on the day?
Yes I really enjoyed the day, great people, great activities and wonderful to see everyone in person after 3 years
Is there anybody you want to say thanks too?
I would like to say thank you to Adam and his crew for setting up the forum on the day because it was organised very well and special mention to all the Guests who came to talk and do exercise with us. It is also important to thank all the volunteers from Bank Of America , Joan and her TEAM who spent their valuable time and energy to make us feel special. It was a pleasure!!.
Ashwin Maliyakal
ATHLETE LEADERSHIP PROGRAM FORUM
Where was the location for the ALP’S Leadership forum?
The forum was held in castleknock hotel.
What time did the athlete forum start and finish at?
The forum Started at 10.30am and it finished at 15:30 hours.
Who attended the athlete forum?
The forum was attended by over 60 Athletes from the Eastern and Leinster region.
Who organised the athlete forum ?
Adam Rochford , the regional development officer (clubs), Shauna ran the successful event along with a wonderful team of Volunteers / Friends from Bank of America as well as Special Olympics Ireland. The TEAM was keen to ensure that every detail was perfect so that all the athletes would have a wonderful day to remember especially since it was the FIRST forum after 3 years due to the pandemic.
What programmes/Activities were on the day?
There was the introduction to welcome the programme and talking about how it was the first time in three years to have this programme in person.
Then there was a nutritionist talking about how to keep healthy and we all got involved by giving our opinions and our thoughts.
Followed on was fitness exercise led by Tom, league of Ireland football player.
Finally we did more fitness activities and it was fun and good.
Was there any Award ceremony at the end of the day?
Yes there was and few people including myself got an award.
I completed my bronze award and The award was presented by the best Ireland footballer if not a legend Niall Quinn.
It was so wonderful to get the award from him and also to talk to him.
Thanks to Adam who made this happen!!
It was so wonderful to get the award from Ireland’s football legend Niall Quin
Did you enjoy the Athlete leadership program forum on the day?
Yes I really enjoyed the day, great people, great activities and wonderful to see everyone in person after 3 years
Is there anybody you want to say thanks too?
I would like to say thank you to Adam and his crew for setting up the forum on the day because it was organised very well and special mention to all the Guests who came to talk and do exercise with us. It is also important to thank all the volunteers from Bank Of America , Joan and her TEAM who spent their valuable time and energy to make us feel special. It was a pleasure!!.
Ashwin Maliyakal
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Killester Special Olympics basketball
How Basketball moulded me as an Individual with Abilities ?
Introduction
My name is Ashwin Maliyakal. I was born in India and I came to Ireland when I was 3 years old. I started to play Basketball when I was 7 years old through Killester Special Olympics Basketball club, which was my first sports club. Sports is my passion now and where I proved my ABILITIES.
Killester Special Olympics Basketball Club
The club was set up in 2003, following the World Games in Dublin. It has gone from strength to strength in recent years, with now over 50 athletes attending team training and skills level. The club has a developmental Squad, Ladies Team, Men’s C , B and A teams. Training of teams takes place on Friday’s from 7pm at the Bay side school , Killester. Each team has dedicated coaches and volunteers who always want each member of the team to have fun
My Journey with Killester Special Olympics Basketball Club
I started first in the Kids squad (Developmental squad) when I was 7 years old and basketball was my first sport to play for Special Olympics. As I started training, I started to really like the club because I got to learn new skills, meet new friends ,teammates and have really good coaches to train the team and have fun. Every Friday with the team I got better and better and our team was getting better too. We played league matches when we were older and in 2015 we won the league tournament of Special Olympics. I was very happy for our team because everyone put in hard work and great basketball play. Thanks to the coaches too they were amazing.
That year, 2015 , when I was 12 years old, I got the “player of the year” award. I was delighted because the coaches were praising me and said I scored loads of baskets and being such a great team player and member.
When I was 16 the coach said why don’t you try for the men C team and I said yes because the coach knew I was too good for this team and it was in my opinion and coaches opinion too easy for me so the coach suggested to play for the men’s B and A team to see which is best for you. I really liked both teams and started with the B team but soon progressed to the A team when I was 17 years old. Both the teams were right level for me but I took my time learning the game as well as listening to the coaches and progressed onto the c A team. I liked the new Team mates and some same team Mates from the past teams. I liked the challenge and the intensity sometimes it is hard work but it was really worth every effort. The coach was very nice and funny and always get the best out of us at the same time have good fun too. We played few League matches in 2019/early 2020 we won all the games even though I didn’t score I always make great passes and good defending and our team was amazing to be part of. I also liked the Christmas parties when Santa used to come and give presents. The presents were always thoughtful like drinking water bottle, shoulder bag, caps etc that we could use over the year. End of the year get together at the Beachcombers was always fun to get time with family members as well as music and have fun…. but then……….
Covid Hits….
When covid hit in March 2020 The Basketball club was shut down and it was sad for me because basketball was one of my favourite sports and we were destined to win the league. It was really depressing. Thankfully the coaches innovatively through Zoom started new virtual training sessions. We were doing zooms session for a least a year. We were using tennis balls and bucket to exercise. It was fun but time after time it was not the same as basketball and we were all talking in zoom will we ever come back to basketball ever Again?
Post Covid
Once the covid restrictions were lifted and slowly sporting clubs opening up , the club started back training in June 2021 but in a different way. Instead of being indoors we were playing outdoors keeping distance as well as following all covid precautions. Our family members could not watch the training nor be around us. We had to sanitise our sporting equipment’s as well as use face masks for covid reasons. It was nice to play but you need to have good weather to train which thankfully for most sessions we had good weather. Basketball was never the same as there was always the fear of Covid.
But in 2022 we were back to indoor training and it was great to be back indoors because we don’t need to worry about the weather at all.
But the few changes I noticed is some of our players are not in the team anymore, some teams in the leagues don’t have players anymore.
In the 2022/2023 league season we started to be back in tournaments and started to play brilliant . Very soon we climbed up the ladder and are currently on top of the league. It was wonderful to play as a team coached by a brilliant coach who wanted us to have fun. It was nice to see other teams come down and play matches. Our team started playing basketball with good team spirit and I am glad to be part of the TEAM.
Ahead My Dreams
I would like to play Basketball as long as I can. As I move up in my life studying in colleges as well as taking a training or a job, it is going to be difficult to maintain the time as well as energy to play the game I love from my heart. Thankfully the colleges were I am planning to study ahead does have a basketball team.
I would also love to watch a NBA game in USA
It would be my ultimate dream to play and represent Ireland in a Special Olympics world games. I note that when I was born in 2003, the world games was in Dublin / Ireland. In 2006 I came to Ireland and since then part of the country that has welcomed me with my ABILITIES forgetting my (dis)ability. It will be a moment of PRIDE to represent Ireland.
I would also like to be a volunteer and help / train an individual like me to play and have fun with their abilities and forget their (dis)ability.
As Special Olympics taught me in the athlete oath “let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt”.
Ashwin Maliyakal
New Year Update: My Trip to India
by Ashwin
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This year, Ashwin from our Mens squad is working towards his Bronze ALPS award. Ashwin is a valued member of the Killester Special Olympics family and has chosen to give back to his team and fellow athletes while he undertakes personal development tasks in the areas of Ambassadorial, Volunteering and Committee roles.
As part of his development in a volunteer role, Ashwin will be volunteering with the Ladies team for the season, assisting the coaches in setting up equipment and drills. Coaches Marcella, Brian and Chris are delighted to have him on board and are looking forward to assisting him in his athlete leadership development. |
I travelled to India for Christmas and stayed for 4 weeks with all family members and had a great festive time, my FIRST Christmas in India.
I flew by Etihad airways, Dublin to Abu Dhabi to Kochi [cochin] Kochi is a coastal city in Kerala state {county] in the southern part of India We travelled to Pala [Kottayam district] which is 2 hour drive from Kochi airport and my mother’s native place rich in rubber, pepper, coffee, mango, betel nuts and other agriculture crops. During my stay I attended a church festival, carol service and went house to house with the choir. It was a good family time and being around loads of people was a good experience. Also ate lot of Indian food. I also visited a nearby dam used for irrigation purpose as well as to produce electricity which was a good educational tour. [Due to the recent floods in the county a lot of check dams have been made] |
From Pala I travelled by bus to Trichur where my father’s sister and family lives. Trichur is known for sacred sights and colourful festivals and during my stay I saw the city decorated with Christmas lights which was really beautiful stars, trees and rows and rows of multi coloured lights.
Onwards I travelled by train north to Calicut, my father’s native place Calicut is a coastal city with beautiful beaches and a city made by Gulf money sent by people who are working in the Gulf counties
I had good time with all family members attended carol service ate a lot of Indian food and had very good memorable moments.
Being my first Christmas in India and to make it more special I had taken a Christmas tree, decorations, festive lights along with my baggage from Dublin which along with my grandmother put up the special tree and on Christmas day had a special moment of opening presents and sharing the joy with the whole family.
Onwards I travelled by train north to Calicut, my father’s native place Calicut is a coastal city with beautiful beaches and a city made by Gulf money sent by people who are working in the Gulf counties
I had good time with all family members attended carol service ate a lot of Indian food and had very good memorable moments.
Being my first Christmas in India and to make it more special I had taken a Christmas tree, decorations, festive lights along with my baggage from Dublin which along with my grandmother put up the special tree and on Christmas day had a special moment of opening presents and sharing the joy with the whole family.
Athlete Leadership Forum 2019 Update
Crowne Plaza, Blanchardstown
November 9th, 2019
by Ashwin
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I attended the Alps for the first time through Killester Special Olympics Basketball Club.
The event was in CROWNE PLAZA. When I came into Crowne Plaza I got a t shirt and a name tag. First there was an Introduction to tell us what is Alp’s. Then we got spilt into two groups, I was in the red group. I knew some people before but others I haven’t , but I got along with them. We did all about social media about internet safety, not to add strangers and not cyber bully people. I knew a lot about social media from school at the same time I learned a bit more about social media from the session. |
Next we did about public speaking. I really didn’t do much public speaking before so I was a bit nervous, but I got more confident about public speaking. We played games to know each other, we were talking to each other and we had to introduce ourselfs. I learned few key points of public speaking like eye contact, voice, smile, gestures.
Then we had lunch my favourite! I had chicken goujons, sausage’s and sandwiches. It was so good.
After our lunch we had an event called “tai chi”, it is basically doing exercises and making us calm when we feel stressed it was good and active.
Finally, we had a group photo and that was it for the day.
So overall it was a really great day.
I really enjoyed a lot about public speaking, getting confident, learning new things, meeting new people and to know about the dangers of social media
So that’s my story about my first alps
Then we had lunch my favourite! I had chicken goujons, sausage’s and sandwiches. It was so good.
After our lunch we had an event called “tai chi”, it is basically doing exercises and making us calm when we feel stressed it was good and active.
Finally, we had a group photo and that was it for the day.
So overall it was a really great day.
I really enjoyed a lot about public speaking, getting confident, learning new things, meeting new people and to know about the dangers of social media
So that’s my story about my first alps
Photos taken by Twinkle Maliyakal
Ashwin has also volunteered recently with club athletes and family members at a bagpacking fundraiser on September 28th in SuperValu Killester. Here he writes about his experience:
"Bag packing is a great way to raise money. Killester Special Olympics basketball club organised a bag packing in the local Supervalu supermarket at Killester to raise money and spread the word about our basketball club in the local community.
I was doing bag packing for the club for the first time and it was a very good experience.The reason why I volunteered is because I wanted to help the club to raise money to buy new equipment’s, uniforms, basketballs, training expenses and other things for the club and also to spread the wonderful work the club does.
I did bag packing for 2 hours and it was a good experience. I was helped by the coaches and supported by the Supervalu staff at the till. There were people who wanted to help and there were others who did not want help. But I asked everybody with a smile “do you want help please” and I helped many people by packing their shopping bags and in return they donated money for our club.
Overall it was nice to help people, to talk to people, to know other people and becoming a better person.
So that’s my story and experience of my first bag packing for Killester special Olympics basketball club"
The committee and coaches are really looking forward to supporting Ashwin in this journey, and excited to share this experience with him.
Eastern Region Athlete Leadership Forum
Crown Plaza, Blanchardstown, November 19, 2016
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While it is a busy time of year at Killester Special Olympics with weekly training and matches, two of our athletes managed to squeeze an extra special event into their already stretched schedules. David McG and David C, members of our men's squads, participated in the recent Athlete Leadership forum event organised by the Eastern Region. The day was jam packed with useful workshops and lots of opportunities to enhance their personal skills. Both thoroughly enjoyed the workshops on Communication through Art, Preparation for Competition and Presentation skills but it was the photography workshop that got them really fired up....so much so that our resident photographer will soon be out of a job!
David and David are both interested in working towards their bronze ALPS awards, and the committee and volunteers will be there, along with their family, to support them in this journey. If their enthusiasm for the day's events is anything to go by, they are well on their way to the awards already! |
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Progress Report
In November we reported that David McG and David C had attended a very beneficial ALPS workshop (see above). This day ignited a flame in them both, and they have been working nonstop over the past few months to develop their self-confidence and personal skills through undergoing tasks for their Bronze Award. While both of them have been dedicated to volunteering each week with our skills section, they have also shadowed committee members to learn about the running of the basketball programme. David McG has been busy gaining experience in an Ambassadorial role of late. Seeing a need to publicise the great work of our programme, he undertook the challenge to create a poster to attract new members, while also addressing our recent AGM and speaking about his progress to date. Both David C and David McG have expressed an interest in coaching, and recently attended an Introduction to Coaching course, along side their mentors, with Special Olympics Ireland, to take the first steps on their coaching pathways. The committee wish them the best of luck in their tasks and are looking forward to hearing about their progress in September. |
