Students from Scoil Náisiúnta Naomh Mhuire in Knockoconor received a lesson in hard work and determination during a visit from Team Ireland Paralympic cyclist Richael Timothy on Wednesday of last week.
Part of the Olympic Federation of Ireland’s Dare to Believe Schools programme, which is proudly supported by Team Ireland title sponsor Permanent TSB, the visit gave students an insight into what it takes to achieve their most ambitious goals.
Ahead of the visit, resource packs covering the Olympic Values of Respect and Equality, Healthy Mind and Body, Joy of Effort and Striving for Excellence were provided to help students prepare for the visit.
Timothy held a workshop with pupils during the visit, helping them to connect to the values and life skills, as well as the biological, psychological and social benefits of sport. The ultimate goal is to encourage students to set goals and develop healthy lifestyles by becoming more active.
“It was incredible having the opportunity to share my story with children in Scoil Náisiúnta Naomh Mhuire, and to show to them what you can achieve when you dare to believe in yourself. As an athlete, we can take for granted sometimes the skills that we have developed in resilience, mental strength, and goal setting, all attributes that are not unique to sport. It was fun talking through some of the key parts of my own journey to Tokyo 2020 as a Paralympic athlete and chatting with the students too.”
Richael Timothy Paralympic Cyclist
The children has an incredible time with Richael. She was absolutely amazing with the class and kept them so engaged the whole time. Richael had such an inspiring stories and the children asked her so many questions. She stayed until 11 with us and organised a fantastic PE activity outside with them. They didn’t want her to leave. We will definitely be following her Paralympic journey from now on and will be cheering her on as a class.
Claire O’Donnell, Teacher
Permanent TSB Territory Sales Manager for Sligo, Julian Mooney, said the visits are an exciting part of the Bank’s title sponsorship of the Irish Olympic Team and Irish Paralympic Team for Paris 2024.
“We are really proud to be title sponsor of Team Ireland and the Olympic Federation of Ireland’s Dare To Believe School’s Programme. Our community ethos is a key differentiator for Permanent TSB and like us, Dare to Believe is grounded in communities across the country.
We all have role models that we look up to, but there is no substitute for having the chance to meet them in person. Our hope is that these fantastic students will be inspired by their interactions with Dare To Believe athletes like Richael, that will encourage them to believe in themselves and strive even harder to achieve their potential.”
Julian Mooney- permanent tsb
Permanent TSB is the proud title sponsor of the Irish Olympic Team and Irish Paralympic Team, as well as title sponsor of the Olympic Federation of Ireland’s Dare To Believe Schools Programme. The Bank is the first-ever title sponsor to partner with both the Irish Olympic Team and the Irish Paralympic Team during an Olympic and Paralympic cycle. The partnership also marked the first time that Paralympics Ireland has had a title sponsor.
More photos from visits around the country!
