A community gathering was held at Iveagh Sports Grounds in Crumlin to celebrate the ongoing success and growing impact of the ‘Community Athletics Hub’, a collaborative initiative between Athletics Ireland and Trinity College Dublin. Since its official launch in August 2023, the hub has significantly increased participation in athletics – including recreational walking, jogging, and running – while promoting physical activity across all age groups within the local community and among students and staff of Trinity College Dublin.
To date, the hub has engaged 1,482 participants across 32 sport and physical activity programmes, alongside delivering 59 participation events involving a further 2,030 attendees. In addition, 216 learners have taken part in 16 training and capacity-building courses, supporting the development of coaching, volunteering, and employability skills within the community.
The initiative, supported by Sport Ireland through its Community Sports Hub programme, has become a vibrant focal point for inclusive physical activity. A dedicated project team has overseen the planning and development of participation-based programmes hosted at the hub, led by Community Athletics Hub Co-ordinator Thomas Carlile who said: “It has been a privilege to serve as co-ordinator of this Community Athletics Hub at the historic Iveagh Sports Grounds. Situated at the heart of a vibrant community, the hub provides a unique opportunity to foster meaningful connections through sport and physical activity, supporting people of all backgrounds, ages and abilities to get involved and stay active.”
Programmes delivered through the hub span all age groups and abilities, including year-round initiatives such as Active Retirement activities, weekly junior parkrun, Fit for Life programmes, and inclusive initiatives like the iRun and Workability programmes. The hub has also supported regular athletics camps, school-based programmes such as The Daily Mile and Try Track and Field, and specialised activities like Walking with Poles.
Today’s celebration brought together members of the local community, including Easter Camp participants, junior ‘parkrunners’, and Fit for Life members, who shared their positive experiences and highlighted the welcoming and inclusive environment fostered at the hub. The junior parkrun alone has seen 1,648 finishes recorded, supported by 85 volunteers, highlighting the strong culture of community engagement and volunteerism.
European Cross Country silver medallist Cormac Dalton was in attendance and presented summer camp children with their participation medals. He spoke about the importance of community in fostering a lifelong love of physical activity, noting how his own local support network played a vital role in his athletic journey. He said: “Having a strong community around you is so important when you’re starting out in sport. Opportunities like this hub make it easier for young people to get involved, enjoy being active, and build habits that can stay with them for life.”
Speaking at the event, Theresa Reddington, a local volunteer heavily involved in promoting athletics and organising junior parkrun, said: “The hub has created something really special for families in the area. It’s not just about the children taking part – parents are getting involved too, whether that’s volunteering or even going for a run themselves while junior parkrun is on. It’s brought people together and created a real sense of community.”
Michelle Tanner, Director of Sport and Physical Activity at Trinity College Dublin, said: “We are delighted to see the positive impact of the Community Athletics Hub at Iveagh Sports Grounds. It has quickly become a welcoming and inclusive space for people of all ages and abilities to take part in athletics and physical activity. Our partnership with Athletics Ireland and Sport Ireland continues to create valuable opportunities for the local community, from youth programmes to initiatives that support wider participation. We look forward to further developing the facilities and programmes here and to building on this strong foundation in the years ahead.”
Rachel Ormrod, Director of Participation at Athletics Ireland, commented: “This collaboration with Trinity College Dublin aims to promote and encourage participation in all forms of athletics across all age groups. Through the hub, we are providing a wide range of opportunities tailored specifically for the local community. Sport Ireland’s investment via the Dormant Accounts Fund represents a strong endorsement of this initiative, which we hope will continue to benefit the people of Crumlin and beyond. We look forward to working closely with the community to ensure the long-term success and sustainability of the hub.”
Elaine Mahony of Dublin South City Sports Partnership also addressed attendees at the event: “The collaboration between Athletics Ireland and the WorkAbility programme has been hugely positive. It is creating meaningful opportunities for participants to build confidence, develop skills, and progress into volunteering and employment within sport and beyond.”
Ciaran Conlon, Workability Programme Tutor and Coordinator commented: “The WorkAbility programme and athletics camps are helping participants grow in confidence and capability. We’re seeing individuals take on real responsibility, whether that’s assisting at camps or volunteering at events like parkrun, and that progression is incredibly rewarding to witness.”
For more information on participation initiatives or to get involved in the Trinity College Dublin ‘Community Athletics Hub’ at Iveagh Sports Grounds, please contact:
Thomas Carlile
Community Athletics Hub Co-ordinator
Email: thomascarlile@athleticsireland.ie
