Write a commentThe Sport in School initiative designed for delivery during curriculum time and jointly run by the GAA and the IFA, has recently entered its third year and one of the coaches involved has praised it as a huge success at school, club and Community level.
Down coach Ciaran Murtagh, has been involved with the programme since the initiative started. It is aimed at four to eight year olds and was launched by Education Minister Catríona Ruane in November 2007. Ciaran feels that it has grown from strength to strength.
“It was a pilot project initially but now it’s moving into year three and going strong,” said the Newry man. “Both codes (GAA and the IFA) are involved in primary schools throughout Ulster and the programme is making a difference.
“The programme develops fundamental movement skills such as agility, balance and coordination and athletic skills such as running and jumping. More sports specific skills are delivered through catching, passing, kicking and striking activities. The movement and sports skills of the children show dramatic improvement by the end of the year“
The Ulster Council currently deploys 32 coaches to counties as part of the programme. They coach these generic movement skills all of which can be applied to any sport from badminton to cricket as well as Gaelic Games.
“The focus is on fundamental movement skills targets 4 to 8 years olds and doesn't focus specifically on Gaelic Games” said Murtagh. “That’s what I would tell the kids; these movement skills can be used in basketball and hockey, the focus is on body management at this early age.
”Many of the coaches are recent graduates and they are involved in a two way learning process. Coaches have engaged with teachers and learned a lot from them in terms of classroom and pupil management. They also deliver a clear health message and emphasise Respect for themselves, the opposition and the referee."
Recently 110 Primary 2 pupils from the Newry area attended a Christmas Fun Day in the Sports Centre. Down GAA star Martin Clarke was the star attraction on the day, and it was the enthusiasm shown by the pupils and teachers on the day which made Murtagh feels there is longevity in the programme.
“It was a great day and everyone enjoyed it. There are six other coaches working as part of this Programme in the Down area and we love seeing a response like this from all involved.”
The work is not just limited to the school. The coaches follow with activity at local GAA clubs.
“In the evenings we visit local clubs in a scheme called Gaelic Start,” said Murtagh. “It’s for U6 and U8s and we basically link the work done in school to the community".
This programme is designed to instil confidence and skills with parents and club coaches. “We always try and get as many parents involved as possible, maybe parents who traditionally would not be involved with the club. This way the children are getting more help and the club are maybe getting new coaches and players.”
It is busy times for Murtagh and the other staff involved, but the high demand for Gaelic Start is a good sign that there is a need and interest in what to do with this young age group.
For more information, contact Eugene Young, Ulster GAA Director of Coaching and Games. email: eugene.young.ulster@gaa.ie
