1st and 2nd Class Schools Coaching - St Colmcilles
October 10, 2011
Pictured at launch of the schools coaching programme across 1st and 2nd class in the parish of St Colmcilles.
This very ambitious coaching programme sees all the school children across 1st and 2nd class travel by bus to the St Colmcilles club every Wednesday for coaching which is carried out by 25 coaches who form part of an extensive weekly coaching rota in conjunction with a coach from Meath Coaching and Games. Coaching runs from 9:30 to 2:30 each Wednesday from September through to the 2nd week in December.
The vision from the progressive Piltown club is an ambitious one. As the Primary Schools Coaching Committee chairman and Tyrone native Jude McNabb stated recently, " this year our goal is to once again bring Gaelic Football to the children from 1st and 2nd class and have them experience the fun and skills that make up Gaelic games. The programme over the last 2 years has been wonderfully successful and has been at the heart of our massive increase in young children playing games now at Under 9, Under 8 and Under 7 for St Colmcilles". He went on to add " the coaching programme is now well embedded into the ethos and psyche of each of the five schools and children and teachers alike look forward to coming down each Wednesday to St Colmcilles for coaching in the skills of Gaelic Football ". It is he said "a programme that will be at the heart of success going forward for St Colmcilles, especially in later years. "
Finally to add to the coaching at 1st and 2nd class, St Colmcilles also launch their inaugural 3rd Class Schools League in conjunction with their near neighbours St Pats Stamullen and St Mary's of Donore and the Meath Coaching and Games Board. Once more this very ambitious programme is geared to compliment the coaching that children received at 1st and 2nd class and will see 14 teams from across the schools take part in a Formal League that will run every 3 weeks with each round of games fixed so that children get to experience playing matches around the grounds of St Colmcilles, St Pat's Stamullen and St Mary's of Donore.
In all 200 children will take part in this league. Meath Coaching and Games Officer Maria Kealy was only to delighted to work with the ambitious seaside club along with St Pat's and St Mary's Donore on this new 3rd class league and stated recently "It is a fantastic initiative for children in the local communities. Not just for the children that play Gaelic football regularly but also as in introductory for those new to the game. The ethos behind the programme of development, fair play, inclusion and basic coaching is crucial to it's success. Watching the local clubs, schools and teachers work together shows a sense of community and "gra" for the game in the area. We wish all clubs and schools the very best and thank them for their time and effort - keep up the good work!"
Pictures Courtesy of Annamarie Redmond (AMR Photography - www.amrphotography.ie) Tweet
