Recreation

Annual REACH RCSI Sports Day 

Sports Day is an initiative of the REACH RCSI Programme aimed at promoting health and lifelong participation in recreational activities in a fun environment. It takes place annually in RCSI's Sports Grounds at Dardistown. The day-long event is attended by young people from local primary schools aged between 7 and 10.

Students from St Enda's Whitefriar Street at the REACH RCSI Sports Day 2017.

Approximately 50 RCSI students volunteer each year and help out by leading teams, encouraging the children, and running a variety of events and sports activities.

The REACH RCSI Programme has been privileged to have stars from the world of sport attend the day, helping to encourage the children to remain involved in sport e.g. Felipe Contepomi, coaches from Glasgow Celtic Football Club and players from the Dublin GAA team.

Participating in sports day has proved a positive experience for both the local young people and RCSI students and this is reflected in feedback received:

• “I enjoyed it because the leaders were very friendly and I had lots of fun.”
• “It was fun we got to meet new people on our team and we got to play lots of different games.” 

 

The fastest feet challenge in full swing.

The REACH RCSI Sports Day 2017 was held on Wednesday, April 06th at RCSI’s Sports Grounds in Dardistown.

The fun-filled event included an action packed obstacle course, a pipeline challenge, a fastest feet competition and much more. In the afternoon the children enjoyed a rugby skills session with members of the RCSI Mens and Ladies Rugby team followed by tag rugby matches.

The Red Team go head to head to with the Purple Team in our obstacle course

Members of the Green Team participating in the pipeline challenge

The children were supported throughout the day by a team of very dedicated RCSI student volunteers, who either marshaled each game station (H20 race, egg and spoon race etc.) or lead a team throughout their schedule for the day.

The Sky Blue team immobilising their ankles during their team leaders warm up

The White Team were declared the winning team after all the activities and races were complete, with the Grey and Green teams claiming second and third place.

Members of the Purple Team preparing to throw in the retrieve & conquer rounders event

York Street Playground 

In 2015, REACH RCSI formed a community partnership with local residents and the Dublin City Council which culminated in the launch of the York Street play area, an initiative contributing to lifelong participation in recreational activities, whilst offering local children a safe place to play.

 

Professor Hannah McGee, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, REACH RCSI Project Manager Maria Kelly and a local young resident at the opening of the York Street playground.

Professor Hannah McGee, REACH RCSI Project Manager Maria Kelly, and local residents celebrating the launch of the York Street playground.

Supporting Aungier Celtic Football Club

RCSI proudly sponsor local soccer team Aungier Celtic FC (ACFC) through the REACH RCSI Programme.

Developed in 1981, ACFC is run entirely by a dedicated management committee of local volunteers, and provides an invaluable service for local community members of all ages.

Aungier Celtic has a total of six football teams in their charge with approximately 80 members in the club. REACH RCSI Programme supports Aungier Celtic FC in a number of ways:

• Sponsorship of team kits.
• Sponsorship of training sessions for players with Glasgow Celtic FC.
• REACH RCSI Annual Challenge Match, where the RCSI football team takes on ACFC.
• Young Men’s Pre-Season Health and Fitness Programme 2016.

 

Unveiling of new Aungier Celtic football kits sponsored by the REACH RCSI Programme.

Aungier Celtic players celebrate winning the REACH RCSI Annual Challenge Match.

 

Supporting local senior citizens

The REACH RCSI Programme hosts a number of events for local senior citizens within the local community.

 

Ballroom of Romance

The Ballroom of Romance is an annual entertainment evening of dinner, music and dancing held for senior citizens living in the catchment area of the College.

The event is held each year in July and has seen more than 400 senior citizens attend. The Ballroom of Romance is organised in partnership with Dublin City Council South East Area Community Development team. Local community Gardaí also volunteer their time at this event.

Guests enjoying the 2016 Ballroom of Romance at RCSI Music on the night has been provided by the Garda Band, the Young Orchestral Pops (YOPS) Orchestra and the Whitefriar Strings Projects. 2016’s event saw the evening opened by The Harmony Knights male voice choir followed by Ronan Collins and the Sugarcubes.

Ronan Collins and the Sugarcubes on song to entertain all the guests.

Senior Citizens Christmas Party

The Christmas party for local senior citizens has been held in RCSI for more than 25 years. The event is organised by the REACH RCSI programme, supported voluntarily by RCSI staff and is sponsored by the College. The festivities usually begin at lunchtime and continue for the rest of the afternoon in the College Hall.

 

 

Local Senior Citizen Helen Donegan enjoying the 2016 Christmas Party.

More than 100 senior citizens attend the festive fun-filled afternoon with Christmas dinner, music, singing, dancing and a grand raffle. The raffle includes great prizes such as Christmas hampers, gift vouchers and gift boxes donated by a variety of companies such as Walls to Workstations and Dunnes Stores.

Sister Hilda getting into the Christmas spirit at our 2016 event