2014

Drop weight, raise funds – Ballinrobe sports clubs have ‘Motivation’ to attempt ‘Mission Slimpossible!’ Three sports clubs in Ballinrobe are to take each other on in a novel weight loss fundraiser over the first three months of 2014. Mission: Slimpossible! is the title of the battle which will see representatives of the town’s rugby, soccer and Gaelic football clubs vow to shed excess weight. The competition will be overseen by Motivation Weight Management, who are kindly donating their expertise and personnel free of charge. Twenty members of each club have signed up to an eight-week campaign – and each participant has been given a personal weight loss target. The competition will be won by the club whose 20 representatives perform best against their individual targets. In 2011, Ballinrobe RFC, Ballinrobe Town AFC and Ballinrobe GAA club teamed up to contest a Mayor of Ballinrobe campaign, and the winner on that occasion – Peter McHugh of Ballinrobe RFC – will lead his club’s team in this repeat battle. “There are a number of angles to Mission: Slimpossible!,” explained Peter. “First off, it is a weight loss, wellbeing and fitness campaign for all 60 people involved, with a weekly weigh-in and training session, plus a number of other fun events over the eight weeks. “Secondly, it is an opportunity for all three clubs to raise funds, with supporters given the opportunity to back their favourite participants. Thirdly, there are prizes for those who buy tickets in support of the event. “And, fourthly, the event will also be used to raise money for a worthwhile local charity, Friends of Grace.” The competition kicks off on Tuesday, January 14th, and all will be revealed at the final night in the Valkenburg on Friday, March 14th. Admission to the final night will be €10 and all proceeds on the night go towards the Friends of Grace charity. Said Robin Smith, Motivation Weight Management: “At Motivation Weight Management we are delighted to be getting involved in this really worthwhile fun idea.” He added: “This community based event is going to help raise money for local clubs, charity and also help 60 people get closer to their healthy weight. We feel this event is worthy of everyone’s support. “We are really looking forward to helping people lose weight in a healthy way and sharing our nutritionally balanced food plans with them.” Lakeside Sports & Leisure Centre are providing their facilities and the services of their coaches free of charge to support Mission: Slimpossible! More information is available on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SlimpossibleBallinrobe The men and women who will fight this novel battle are as follows: Ballinrobe RFC: Peter McHugh, Trevor Watson, Seamus O’Toole, Paul Keane, Deirdre Burke, Aidan Golden, Marie Boyle, Josephine Keane, Martina Jennings, Eoin Roe O’Neill, Jimmy Daly, Brian O’Connor, Pat McGrath, Aidan Feerick, Ivana Dolihalova, John Flannery, Julie Duffy, Mick Walsh, John Walsh, Brian Flannery.   Ballinrobe GAA club: Alan Flannery, Liam Horan, John Culhane, Vincent Cummins, Michael Conroy, Jim Lennon, Eamon McGreal, Keith McTigue, Linda Stafford, Martin Murphy, Liam McCormack, Martina McCormack, Brian Golden, Tom Carney, Hilary Joyce, Paddy McTigue, Elaine O’Brien, Sean Murphy, Damien O’Kelly, Siobhan Costello.   Ballinrobe Town AFC: Billy McGrath, Ronan O’Dea, Lillian O’Malley, Helen O’Neill, Dermot Doran, Sean Reilly, Pat Maloney, Edel Loftus, Val Gibbons, Tracey Burke, Michael O’Connor, Tony Walsh, Pauline Joyce, Shane Ryan, John Doherty, Noel Finlay, Michelle Finlay, Sean Maloney, Aideen O’Shea, Carmel Keady,   How it will work: For the participant clubs: Each participant is given an individual weight loss target they aim to reach over the eight weeks. If they reach 100 per cent of their target, they score 100 points for their club. If they reach 75 per cent of their target, they score 75 points for their club, and so on. The club with the most number of points wins. If somebody exceeds their target, their score will remain at 100 points, as the organisers do not wish to promote excessive weight loss. The winning club will receive €1,500 first prize. For the supporters: There will be an opportunity for members of the public to buy a ‘forecast ticket’ during the competition. When purchasing this ticket, costing €5, each supporter will be asked to predict the order in which the three clubs will finish. Those who successfully predict the ultimate 1-2-3 will be entered into a draw for top prize of €300.   Key dates Initial weigh-in took place in Lakeside Sports & Leisure Centre, Ballinrobe: Tuesday, January 7th, 2014; Weekly weigh-ins, Lakeside Sports & Leisure Centre, Ballinrobe: Every Tuesday thereafter until final weigh-in (GAA 7pm, soccer 8pm, rugby 9pm); Group training sessions, Lakeside Sports & Leisure Centre, Ballinrobe: Friday, January 17th, and every Friday until Friday, March 4th (exact time to be confirmed); Saturday, February 1st: Ballinrobe RFC fun challenge, details to be finalised; Saturday, February 15th: Ballinrobe GAA fun challenge, details to be finalised; Saturday, March 1st: Ballinrobe Town AFC fun challenge, details to be finalised; Final weigh-in, Lakeside Sports & Leisure Centre, Ballinrobe: Tuesday, March 11th, 7pm; Winning announcement: Gala Charity Night, Friday, March 14th, venue to be finalised. All proceeds from the final night will go towards the Friends of Grace charity.   Steering committee: Alan Flannery, Liam Horan (GAA club); Michele Conroy, Brian Conroy (soccer club); Nicola Burke, Colette Burke (rugby club); Peter McHugh (Mayor of Ballinrobe). Visit Motivation Weight Management website HERE

Coming soon – the Mayor campaign, part two. This time it’s Slimpossible! Ballinrobe GAA v Ballinrobe RFC v Ballinrobe Town AFC. Our team is almost finalised, more anon. And if someone says "no, I’m fine" when you offer them food in the next eight weeks, please respect their discipline.