Sport

The ethos of sport for young people in education in Loreto College, Mullingar encompasses a range of values and principles that aim to contribute to their holistic development. Here are some key aspects of the true ethos of sport for young people in education that we strive to instil in our students: 

Physical Health:

• Promoting physical well-being and an active lifestyle.
• Developing fundamental movement skills and coordination.

Mental Health:

• Providing an outlet for stress relief and emotional expression.
• Building resilience and coping skills through challenges in sports.

Teamwork and Collaboration:

• Fostering a sense of teamwork and collaboration.
• Teaching the importance of working together towards common goals.

Discipline and Time Management:

• Instilling discipline through regular training and commitment.
• Teaching time management skills to balance academics and sports.

Fair Play and Sportsmanship:

• Encouraging fair play, respect for opponents, and adherence to rules.
• Instilling sportsmanship values, including graciousness in both victory and defeat.

Character Development:

• Building character traits such as perseverance, determination, and responsibility.
• Providing opportunities for leadership and decision-making.

Inclusivity and Diversity:

• Creating an inclusive environment that welcomes individuals of all abilities.
• Promoting diversity and understanding among participants.

Lifelong Learning:

• Emphasising the importance of continuous learning and improvement.
• Providing opportunities for skill development and mastery over time.

Healthy Competition:

• Encouraging healthy competition that focuses on personal improvement.
• Balancing the desire to win with the importance of participating and giving one's best effort.

Community and Social Skills:

• Fostering a sense of belonging to a community.
• Developing social skills and the ability to work with diverse groups.

Ethical Decision-Making:

• Promoting ethical decision-making on and off the field.
• Encouraging integrity and honesty in all aspects of sports participation.

Fun and Enjoyment:

• Ensuring that sports are enjoyable and bring a sense of fulfillment.
• Cultivating a love for physical activity that extends beyond formal education.

Ultimately, the true ethos of sport for young people in education should prioritise their overall wellbeing, character development, and the acquisition of life skills that extend far beyond the playing field. It should contribute positively to their physical, mental, and social development, preparing them for a healthy and fulfilling future.

Loreto College has a long tradition of sporting success, particularly in the areas of hockey and basketball. Our school now offers a wide range of sporting activities for our students. Please read on to find out about what our school has to offer in terms of sport for our students. 

Athletics

Athletics is offered in our school to all year groups. We take part in the Westmeath Schools Cross Country, Geraldine Dolan Memorial Cross Country, and North Leinster Cross Country events every year. If successful in the North Leinster Cross Country, our girls have the chance to represent Loreto at Leinster and All Ireland Levels. We also enter the Loreto Track and Field and the North Leinster Track and Field events and, again, if successful at North Leinster level, our girls will have the opportunity to represent our school and Leinster and All Ireland Levels.

Our school is always represented very well at these events each year and has been very successful in various competitions over the years. The standard continues to improve from year to year also.

Basketball

Basketball training takes place after school and each team has a one hour session each week. Training times are set at the start of each school year to accommodate all players involved.

Basketball is a competitive extra curricular sport and all teams and players are expected to train seriously and commit to playing for the full season.

Seniors and U16 teams play league games from September to approximately the end of Nov/start of December (depending on their success). 1st and 2nd year teams train from September and play league games from January to end of Feb, again depending on success, they could continue to Easter.

Games are scheduled on a weekly basis with all teams playing approx 4 or 5 league games and then if successful, progress to knock-out stages.

The school has been involved in basketball for over 30 years with teams reaching All Ireland finals twice in recent years as well as winning Midlands Regional Finals and reaching All Ireland Play Offs on numerous occasions.

Camogie

Camogie is offered in Loreto at Minor (1st and 2nd years) and Senior level (3rd, TY, 5th & 6th years). Training takes place during lunch times or after school on a day decided at the beginning of each school year. The Senior competition takes place between September and Christmas and can be ongoing after Christmas if the team progresses in the competition. Minor competition begins after Christmas each year. Our Senior camogie team has been very successful in recent years winning the Senior C Leinster title in 2019 and our Minor team winning the Minor D Leinster title in 2022.

Equestrian

Loreto College participates in inter-schools competitions for equestrian enthusiasts around the country. These competitions are offered at a team and individual level, for novice and advanced riders. It is an advantage to have your own pony, however ponies can be rented from Mullingar Equestrian which is an opportunity for everyone to take part. We would love to have new members join our club and build our school's equestrian team.

Gaelic Football

Gaelic football has a long standing tradition here in Loreto.  We have been very lucky to have some outstanding players play on our teams over the years and who have also helped out with younger year groups. We continue to encourage students to participate at all levels of the game.  Senior and Junior training takes place after school from 4 to 5 with their competitions beginning early in the school year.  Our U14 and First Year school competitions don’t begin until after Christmas but we will run school based blitzes for these years groups in order for them to get to know each other better. Our girls have been very successful in recent years winning the Senior B Leinster title in 2018.

Golf

Our school’s golf team is made up of young ladies who train in the sport regularly as members of our local wonderful amenity – Mullingar Golf Club.  2021/2022 saw our Golf Team reach the Irish Schools Junior Championship All Ireland Final, finishing in fourth place. In 2022, our school’s team came 2nd at the Irish Schools Senior Girls Championship, Leinster Region.

Hockey

Hockey in Loreto Mullingar has been growing in popularity since our astroturf pitch was completed in 2013.  Training takes place after school and/or at lunch times.

In 2018, we went on a hockey tour to Barcelona. While there, our hockey players picked up new skills while participating in hockey training sessions led by professional coaches. In 2019, our hockey players enjoyed a skills workshop at Loreto College with Kenny Carroll, Hockey Ireland’s Leinster Development Officer.

We are actively seeking a qualified hockey coach to help out with our school’s hockey teams.

Soccer

Soccer is a popular sport in Loreto College, corresponding with the growing international appreciation of ladies soccer in recent years. FAI Schools offers competitions ranging from first year Futsal to league and cup across many age groups. 2017/2018 saw the school secure one of these titles when the first team entered in an FAI competition for many years won the U17 Leinster League title. More recently, our U15 time were successful in becoming Leinster Regional League winners in April 2022. In 2023, our 15 again team experienced the dizzy heights of the top of the Regional League table, missing out on top place only on goal difference. 

Training takes place after school once weekly on the school’s astroturf pitch or in the school’s sports hall. Players of all abilities are welcome, and training is built around team-building and fun. Details of training and age groups are detailed at the start of each academic year.

Swimming

All first years complete a block of swimming classes for PE. They have great fun improving their swimming, their water confidence and learning water safety in Mullingar Swimming Pool. Thanks is extended, as always, to the staff of Mullingar Swimming Pool for facilitating this super addition to our Physical Education curriculum each year. 

Tag Rugby & Badminton

Students from all year groups are welcome to join these  recreational sports, regardless of their level of fitness or how much sport they play. Both of these sports are fast paced, fun and challenging. Join us any time throughout the year and try it out!

Details of all of the school's sports teams are available to students at the beginning of each academic year or sport season within the year. Announcements, posters, and Google Classroom Codes give all students the opportunity to find out more about and join-in in some of these sporting events.