COMMUNITY GAMES – Athletics

Who can enter? – The Community Games run separately to the AAI (Athletic Association of Ireland) with their own rules and age categories and are open to all children from 7 to15 years of age (not just athletic club members) – so invite your family, friends and neighbours from your community. (Our members are in the Ardee/Reaghstown Area Community Games).

How do I know which Area Games I can attend? – Message Louth Community Games via their Facebook page and they will confirm if you are living in an affiliated area that makes you eligible to compete in the Community Games – Link to Louth Community Games Facebook Page.

What can my child wear? – For the Community Games anything goes, comfortable clothing and runners – A note to athletic club members – ‘athletic club colours’ are not permitted, so no singlet and spikes are not permitted for those children competing in the U8 & U10 age group events.

What athletic events can my child compete in? – Please note, not all Area Games host all these events:

• Ardee/Reaghstown Area Community Games – events hosted by Ardee & District AC…
  • U8 – 60m, 80m
  • U10 – 100m, 200m, (sometimes 60m Hurdles)
  • U12 – 100m, 200m, 600m, Long Jump, Ball Throw
  • U14 – 100m, 800m, Long Jump, Shot Put, (sometimes 80m Hurdles)
  • U16 – 100m, 200m, 1500m, 
• Not included in the Ardee/Reaghstown Area Community Games – but enquire further from Louth Community Games if you wish your child or a team to compete in the following…
  • U10 – 60m Hurdles, Relay (Mixed 4x100m)
  • U12 – Relay (Boys & Girls 4x100m)
  • U13 – Relay (Mixed 4x100m), *Cross Country 1200m
  • U14 – 80m Hurdles, Relay (Boys & Girls 4x100m), Javelin
  • U15 – Relay (Mixed 4x100m)
  • U16 – High Jump, Discus, Relay (Boys & Girls 4x100m and Mixed 4x200m), **Marathon 7k
    • *Cross Country (U13/1200m)  – it’s at the discretion of the County how the representative teams of a minimum of 4 boys & 4 girls is selected – contact Louth Community Games to express your interest in your child competing.
    • **Marathon (U16/7k) – it’s at the discretion of the County how the representative teams of a maximum of 4 boys & 4 girls is selected – contact Louth Community Games to express your interest in your child competing.
• Click into the following link to see the Community Games’ Rule Book for all these events –  Community Games Rule Book.

How do I calculate my child’s age category – Click into the following link to see what Age Group your child can compete in.  This is an online calculator on the Community Games Website Community Games Age Calculator but you can check your child’s age group by contacting Louth Community Games via messenger on their Facebook page.

Further Information – For more information on all about the Community Games go to the following Websites:  Community Games  or  Louth Community Games (or follow them on Facebook: Community Games or Louth Community Games).

Competition Dates for 2025: – Contact Louth Community Games via messenger on their Facebook page for confirmed dates – Louth Community Games Facebook Page.

• Ardee/Reaghstown Area Community Games – Any Tuesday or Thursday evening @ 6.30pm in May – hosted by Ardee & District AC, School Field, Drogheda Road, Ardee – No entry fee – all competitors can compete in all events available in their age group at the Area Games (4 qualifiers from each event go to the Louth County Games but if you qualified in more than one event you choose which of these to compete in at the Louth Community Games).
• Louth Community Games (a competitor can only compete in one of their qualifying events from the Area Games if they qualify in more than one event) – Any Saturday in May – Lourdes Stadium, Drogheda – Entry charge at the gate (2 qualifiers from each field event go direct to the Nationals including 1st place winners of all track events / 2nd & 3rd place qualifiers go to the North Regional Community Games.  All qualifiers representing Louth wear the Louth County Singlet at both the Regional and National Games – To get one, Facebook message Louth Community Games Facebook page).
• North Regional Community Games (Track events only for 2nd & 3rd place qualifiers from their County) – Any Saturday in August – TUS Athlone Campus, (Outdoor Track) Co. Westmeath N37 HD68 – Online entry tickets via the Community Games Website – €10.00/competitors & €10.00/spectators (3 qualifiers from each track event go through to the Nationals).
• National Community Games – 2nd last or last Saturday in August – SETU Sport Campus, Carlow, Co. Carlow R92 X232 – Online entry tickets via the Community Games Website – €10.00/competitors & €15.00/spectators.

The Community Games host a variety of competitions not just athletics – checkout their website for all you need to know… Community Games Website.

Full list of Competitions available to compete in at the Community Games (if your Area can enter you)…

Individual Events:  Art / Athletics (track) / Ball Throw / Cycling on Grass / Discus / Gymnastics / Hand Writing/ Hand Ball / High Jump / Javelin / Long Jump / Long Puck / Model Making / Pitch & Putt / Shot Putt / Sola Dance / Solo Recitation / Solo Singing / Swimming / Athletics Hurdles.

Representative:  Cross Country / Debating / Marathon / Mixed Distance Relay / Projects U16.

Team Events:  Badminton / Basketball / Camogie / Chess / Choir / Culture Corner / Draughts / Futsal / Gaelic Football / Group Dance Irish Contemporary / Group Dance Modern & Disco / Group Drama & Comedy / Group Music / Group Singing / Hurling / Indoor Soccer / Rugby 7s / Rounders / Projects / Skittles / Soccer Outdoor / Soccer 7 a Side / Spike Ball / Swimming Squad / Table Tennis / Tag Rugby / Throw Ball Rounders / Quiz / Athletics Relay.