Touchdown on Leeside

IMART 2022 brought a spectacular event to Cork this June. With over 1,100 players from 15 countries, well over 600 volunteers, an estimated 3000 international visitors to the city and county, it was a resounding success!

The week saw a Mixed Ability Rugby World Cup, the First Women’s Mixed Ability Rugby World Cup, an International Mixed Ability Rowing Regatta, mixed ability boxing, kinball, curling and soccer showcased throughout the week. In conjunction with the sport, there was an international conference hosted in UCC, which saw, amongst others, the EU, UNESCO and Mixed Ability Sport Ireland coming together to discuss how the Mixed Ability model can grow from here.

The lasting legacy of the event, is the establishment of Mixed Ability Sport Ireland, which will look to grow the movement here. This is the start of the Mixed Ability movement in Ireland, which offers unprecedented opportunities to change lives, sports, social and commercial worlds. Mixed Ability Sport Ireland is the start of that movement, and we’re delighted to see it launched in such spectacular fashion.

IMART wouldn’t have been possible without the huge support from public and private enterprises. Thanks to our many sponsors and supporters in particular the EU, Smurfit Kappa, Permanent TSB, Heineken, Laya, O’Flynn Exhams, KPMG, Dairygold, Morgan McKinley, Quintas, Musgrave, Savills, Cork City Council, Cork Chamber, Munster Vehicle Sales, Munster Rugby and the IRFU.

We’d also like to thank An Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, Minister Simon Coveney and Minister Michael McGrath, who supported our ambitions from the beginning.

First Row Left to Right: IMART organisers at the Opening Ceremony at Musgrave Park, pictured left to right, Annette Cullen, Alan Craughwell, An Taoiseach, Micheál Martin T.D., Cllr Tony Fitzgerald, Deputy Lord Mayor, Liam Maher and Ruth Fuller.

Volunteers from Cork Chamber Carmel Holland, Finance Manager and Naoimh Frawley, Director of People, Operations & Governance with Chamber colleague Ruby Hardie-Brown player with Ballincollig Trailblazers.

Minister Simon Coveney and Minister Michael McGrath in the thick of it, with the Sundays Well Rebels, who went on to win the World Cup! Away the Well!!

Chamber team members with other volunteers

Ballincollig Trailblazers team huddle.

Marie Healy, captain of the Ballincollig Trailblazers, Ireland’s first Women’s Mixed Ability Rugby Team, with Ciara Aherne, founder, Ballincollig Trailblazers pictured with Matt Cooper before going on stage to officially launch the games.