Main pic: Steve Boyle (left) with family members at Mountcharles Pier.
An American philanthropist with strong Donegal connections is seeking sporting organisations within the county to collaborate with.
Stephen (Steve) Boyle and his wife Kerry are co-founders and directors of ‘2-4-1 Sports’, a non-profit that encourages children to ‘sample’ more than one sport through special camps.
His current home is West Hartford, Connecticut, however, Mr Boyle’s father John Joe is originally from Mountcharles.
In 2006, their 9-year-old daughter Alannah was told that trying other sports was not an option if she wanted to play for her local soccer team.
“As parents, educators, and coaches, we knew that playing only one sport did not make sense physically, socially, or emotionally, not just for our daughter but for all kids,” Mr Boyle explained.
“Life’s 2 Short 4 Just 1 Sport™ became our inspiration to launch what was then just a one week sport sampling camp, but what most now refer to simply as, 2-4-1.”
The Boyles knew they were on to something that resonated with many families because that first camp quickly increased in numbers from one location in Connecticut to multiple locations serving thousands of kids globally.
2-4-1 founders Steve and Kerry Boyle.
Mr Boye spoke at length to Donegal Connections, the latest edition of the Donegal Diaspora ezine which is out now.
“As one of eight children born to John Joe Boyle of Mountcharles and a mother from Leitrim, my identity has always been intertwined with the rugged, beautiful landscapes of Donegal,” he said.
The Boyles now want to bring their sports model to Donegal.
“We aim to bring our model of sports sampling and physical literacy development to more communities, including – if we can find the right partners or supporters – Donegal, the land of our forebears,” he explains.
“As a newly minted Irish citizen myself (I got my Irish passport during COVID), I cherish the prospect of contributing to the place that has so profoundly shaped our identities and values. As one of 85 first cousins (over half of which have Donegal roots), I could wish for nothing more than to be proudly doing 2-4-1 programming in Donegal.”
The Boyles hope to visit Donegal this year. For anyone interested in supporting or collaborating with 2-4-1, they can email steve@241play.org or contact them via the 241play.org website.
Read Stephen’s amazing story in Donegal Connections, the latest edition of the Donegal Diaspora ezine, by clicking on the following LINK.
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