Texaco Sportstars bursaries presented - Thirteen Irish sports clubs to benefit from fund.
DUBLIN, IRELAND 21 November 2007 – The thirteen successful Irish sports clubs chosen to receive Texaco Sportstars Bursaries - ten from the Republic of Ireland and three from Northern Ireland - were presented with their awards at a ceremony which took place in Dublin today.
From the Republic of Ireland, the ten successful clubs included three from Dublin city - Commercial Rowing Club, Bayside Gymnastics Club and Jobstown Celtic Football Club. Others were Ballon-Rathoe Athletic Club & Community Games (Carlow), Ballingarry-Granagh Community Games (Limerick), Kilmacsimon Swimming & Rowing Club (Cork), Kiltimagh Special Olympics Network (Mayo), St. Killian's Athletic Club (Wexford), Pearse Og Hurling Club (Carlingford) and Donegal Community Games (Letterkenny). Each received a bursary of €5,000.
From Northern Ireland, the three successful clubs were Ballymena & Antrim Athletic Club, Andersonstown Basketball Club (Belfast) and Pearse Og Gaelic Football Club (Armagh). Each received a bursary of £3,500.
Launched to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Texaco Sportstars Awards which occurs this year, the Texaco Sportstars Bursary initiative attracted applications from close to 250 clubs, over 200 of which came from clubs in the Republic of Ireland with the remainder coming from clubs in Northern Ireland. On a county-by-county basis, Dublin had the largest number of applicants with 47 entries followed by Cork with 22. Of those received from Northern Ireland, the largest number of applications came from clubs in the Belfast/Antrim area.
Commenting on the success of the programme, Enda Riney, Country Chairman for Chevron, which owns the Texaco brand, said that the level of interest has exceeded all expectations. “Through the introduction of the scheme, Chevron is delighted to support the very worthwhile work being done at grassroots level by sports clubs throughout Ireland, especially in fostering the young sports stars of the future” he said.
The Texaco Sportstars Awards, which this year celebrates its 50th anniversary, was first presented in 1958. Since then, it has become the premier forum for celebrating the achievements of Irish sports men and women - from Christy Ring to DJ Carey; Kevin Heffernan to Colm Cooper, Mary Peters to Sonia O'Sullivan, George Best to Roy Keane, Mike Gibson to Brian O'Driscoll and more.
Chevron Corporation is one of the world’s leading integrated energy companies. We have approximately 58,000 employees, and our subsidiaries conduct business in more than 180 countries. We operate across the entire energy spectrum — producing and transporting crude oil and natural gas; refining, marketing and distributing fuels and other energy products and services; manufacturing and selling petrochemical products; generating power; and developing and commercializing the energy resources of the future, including biofuels and other renewables. Chevron is based in San Ramon, Calif. More information about Chevron is available at www.chevron.com.
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Texaco Sportstars Bursary winners in profile
Republic of Ireland
Commercial Rowing Club, Islandbridge, Dublin 8
High profile, successful club, both nationally & internationally, with membership across all ages (200 members in total, 100 of these under 18). Probably the most successful boat club in Ireland, winning seven championships in 2007. Swelling membership means the need for extra rowing equipment. Bursary to be used to purchase ergometers/rowing machines which would allow training when days are too short and conditions too inclement to do water work.
Bayside Gymnastics Club, Kilbarrack, Dublin 5
Community driven club catering for able & disabled membership. Only fully integrated gymnastic club, catering for able-bodied children and young adults as well as those with physical, learning, sensory or trauma related disabilities. Bursary to be used to train new coaches and purchase equipment & resource material.
Jobstown Celtic Football Club, Tallaght, Dublin 24
Club caters for children from the disadvantaged area of Tallaght. As little financial support is available from the parents of the children, the club is entirely dependent on sponsorship. Bursary to be used to start new teams, upgrade training facilities, train new coaches and cover transport costs to/from matches.
Ballon-Rathoe Athletic Club & Community Games, Ballon, Co Carlow
Major community sports cum athletics club. Winner of Best Area of Participation in the Community Games for the past three years. Bursary to be used to purchase high jump mat and steel container, which would offer storage & toilet facilities and possibly even indoor training facilities.
Ballingarry-Granagh Community Games, Ballingarry, Co. Limerick
Small community-based voluntary organisation that caters for all age groups and all sports, especially children aged 6 to 17 years. Aim to provide children with opportunities to develop in a safe environment through experiencing a wide range of sporting and cultural activities. Bursary to be used to purchase equipment and cover transport costs.
Kilmacsimon Swimming & Rowing Club, Co. Cork
Small rural swimming/rowing club catering for 80 members under 18 years with interesting development plans. 2007 was best sporting year to date. To encourage and motivate members, better equipment and facilities are needed. Bursary to be used to make entrance to recently purchased site, level the site and purchase and install two large storage containers.
Kiltimagh Special Olympics Network, Kiltimagh, Co Mayo
Club has built first purpose built bocce court in Ireland. Member recently won World title at Special Olympics. Three club members went to China to the World Games where Gary Diamond won a gold medal in bocce. Bursary will be used to finance second court.
St. Killian's Athletic Club, Kitestown, Crossabeg, Co. Wexford
Newly formed athletics club in a fast growing area with extensive plans for under age coaching. Has 118 registered members. Bursary to be used to purchase essential equipment.
Pearse Og Hurling Club, Carlingford, Co. Louth
Located in a non-hurling area, the club operates in a small county dominated by football clubs where it is difficult to maintain support for hurling. Bursary to be used to finance new equipment and transport costs.
Donegal Community Games, Correnagh, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal
Club offers 50 different types of sports. It encourages and helps children to become active in sport and culture. Organises about 50 different types of sports at area and county level in which over 2,000 children were involved in 2007. Bursary to be used to finance county tracksuits, fund coaching courses and subsidise transport costs. Full county will benefit from bursary.
Northern Ireland
Ballymena & Antrim Athletic Club, Ballymena, Co. Antrim
High profile athletics club with 200 members that acts as an extended family and a vital part of a divided community. Bursary will provide financial help to potential young stars for a specific need in their development.
Andersonstown Basketball Club, Belfast
New club founded in June 2006 with interesting ambitions who need equipment badly. Had hoped to enter 2/3 teams in Ulster League basketball and ended up with 11 teams entered. Three members recently made selection to the Ulster Squad. Provides outlet which is fun, safe and where kids can meet new friends. Bursary to be used for equipment and to broaden coaching base.
Pearse Og Gaelic Football Club, Armagh
Club based in West Armagh with reputation for developing people, not just athletes. Majority of membership from one of the most disadvantaged areas in Northern Ireland. Bursary to be used to finance additional equipment.
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Notes to editors
1) There are approximately 230 Texaco-branded service stations in Ireland and more than 1,300 across Europe. Chevron (Ireland) Limited also provides aviation refueling services at Dublin and Shannon Airports, has an extensive commercial and industrial fuels and lubricants business and holds an equity stake in four fuel storage facilities in the Republic of Ireland. For more information, visit www.texaco.ie
2) For further information on this award, contact Don Hall, Hall PR on 01 660 9377 or email don@hall.ie. For more information on Chevron (Ireland) Ltd, contact Daniel Schraibman on 0044 207 719 4459 or email danielschraibman@chevron.com
