ESB Electric AID Ireland was launched in July 2005, continuing ESB’s proactive and caring tradition of assisting people they identified, as being in need, and as such, have been Supporting those who work in areas of social need in Ireland in local communities ever since.
ESB ElectricAID Ireland deepened their traditional approach to funding good causes by seeking to make a focused impact on two specific areas. By August 2008, the initiative had funded 190 suicide projects and 106 homelessness projects.The ESB have funded projects all over the island of Ireland under the banner of ESB Electric AID Ireland. In the past six years alone, the ESB have committed €6 million to projects in two specific areas of need Homelessness and Suicide Prevention initiatives. The initiative provides a total funding of €1 million per year to a range of groups including National organisations; Research bodies; Regional charities and Local community groups and parish-based initiatives. More recently the programme became aware of the Social outreach programmes of the Galway Titans Basketball Club, their ethos of “Giving Back” and their currency of Volunteering.One of Titans Core Values is the embracing of Difference and the promotion of Inclusivity. Titans Basketball Club are committed to eliminating all forms of discrimination and ensuring an inclusive environment irrespective of age, gender, marital or civil partnership status, colour, ethnic or national origin, culture, religion, religious belief or similar philosophical belief, disability, political affiliation or sexual orientation. Currently, we have 27 different nationalities enrolled as playing members, reflecting the evolving cosmopolitan nature of Galway in our clubs composition.
Founded in 2004, Galway Titans Basketball Club was established to reinvigorate the sport in Galway City by placing an equal emphasis on skill, participation and competition. Titans have been Targeting Disadvantage jn Galway for the past Ten Years. The Titans set up in their Spiritual Home at The Westside Community Centre with the help of many Coaches who are involved locally in the Tribes and Titans Clubs, Ulster Elks; Sligo All Stars; and further afield, in Australia; Sweden; Spain; France; North America;Newfoundland and Dubai. In the past eight years Titans coaches have been involved in the operation of inter agency funded initiatives in partnership with the Galway Sports Partnership, the Galway City Council, the HSE –W Health Promotion Dept ,The Galway City Partnership and now ElectricAid Ireland. The ESB could see that the Titans, who are only celebrating their 10th anniversary have a proven track record in the provision of volunteer led Social Initiatives. They have not only initiated Gender specific Groups but specialized programmes such as the ‘Midnight Basketball’ initiative, a Healthy Lifestyles programme for young people who were homeless and were in need of a positive Social Network operating for three years; The Programme operated for three years for 24 participants until it ran out of funding for the gym hire. It is hoped that many of this group would once again return to training through the intervention of this latest ElectricAID Ireland Partnership venture. The Titans co-coordinated Free Basketball programmes for Asylum Seekers living in Direct provision involving 42 Adults for a period of three years.
Most famously, The highly successful Bounce Programme, delivered 24 consistent training sessions for young people aged 9-12 years of age who were G.P. referred due to Health Concerns regarding their diet and inactive lifestyles. This resulted in Nineteen children completing the programme, citing health gains as their most positive outcome and Enjoyment as their primary motivation with 11 of these continuing to be involved in sports clubs. It is now in the process of being followed up by Coaches Matt Lint; Michele Mc Caughran and Seamus Garrity, in a joint venture withe HSE which began today and attracted interest from almost 50 participants!
Two years ago, the Titans ran the The Triple”I” League, A Targeted Intercultural programme to reduce Social Isolation and increase participation and Inclusivity for those non Irish Nationals now living in communities in the Galway City Area. The project ended in a finals day which involved 62 players and hundreds of spectators who met and ate together as part of the celebration.
More recently, The Titans “Victory Scholars” Michele Mc Caugharan and Christopher Coyne add their professional N.C.A.A. experience to the Global expertise of Titan Coaches under the leadership of Matt Lint N.Z. Head Coach at the club. The scholars attend N.u.i.g. during the day and commit ten hours volunteering as Coaches in the Community each week throughout the season. In particular the U.S.N.I.s’ ”Sport Changes Lives Foundation, who fund this programme would like them to positively affect change in the lives and aspirations of young people in need of Healthy Social outlets and positive Role Modelling.
In the Summer of 2013, and for the previous 8 years, the Titans Coached six ,”Free to Rapid area Members” Camps, during 5 separate weeks of the holiday season. The Titans are a very busy and committed group of volunteers who enjoy doing what they do for the past 10 years, but they are well aware that they could not exist but for the support they have received from people locally. Thank you to Electric Aid Ireland, to the HSE Health Promotion Department, Galway Sports Partnership and to all local Private Sponsors ( you know who you are…) for your ongoing support in our joint efforts towards…. Making Galway an Actively, Healthy ,Caring and Inclusive Community !
-ESB ElectricAID Ireland and Titans Basketball Club Launch their latest Project at Galway Community College – Weds 9pm, Jan 29th.
Photos left –right no.1
Back row-Coach Patrice Pesaitas; Einde Hernon Galway Community College; Kenneth Pesaitis; Titans Chairman Frank Cashman ( and Board member of Basketball Ireland);Dejan Savic; John Lynam Operations Director;Coach Chris Mc Mullan; Shane Carter and Robert O’Donnell Mens Programme; Joe Coughlan Senior Coach; Mr.Virgil Potter ESB Western Region; Aidas Pesaitis Titans Club President.
Kneeling- Kieran Kavanagh; Eoin Coughlan; Samuel Mikias, Tony Merriman Electric AID Ireland –Board Member, Lori, Titans Ladies Team…and Joseph!