Gaelic4Girls North Kerry Post Programme report Presented to the Kerry Recreation and Sports Partnership and Kerry Ladies County Board December 2 nd 2011 Mary Beades, Munster Development Officer
Contents: Aim of programme Site Selection Promotion of programme Programme content Programme resources Numbers of participants Contributors to the programme Post Programme sustainability North Kerry G4G Participants at the Regional Blitz in Lorrha 26 th November 2011
Aim: The aim of Gaelic4Girls is to introduce girls between the ages of 9 13 to ladies football, through an 8 week programme, in areas where Ladies Football is not currently available or where an existing club may be in need of additional membership. Site Selection: North Kerry, and in particular the areas of Beale, Asdee, Ballylongford and Tarbert, was identified by Munster Council as one site for this programme in September 2011. In that area there is only 1 Ladies Gaelic Football club; Beale, who participated in Junior and Under 16 only and are having some difficulties sustaining the club. Neighbouring Tarbert, Moyvane also have a club with an underage structure but at the original meeting for the Gaelic4Girls programme, expressed some concerns about numbers and the ability to continue the club. Promotion of the Programme: An initial meeting was held on August 18 th in Tarbert Community Centre to assess the possibility of running the programme and getting volunteers to coach and coordinate the programme. Specifically designed Posters and Flyers were printed by Kerry Recreation and Sports Partnership and circulated through Schools visits to each national school in the area. In addition, notices were placed in local papers through the GAA club notes. Also all coaches actively promoted the programme through word of mouth. (see attached) Programme content: The programme took place every Monday night at 6.30pm in Ballylongford GAA pitch for 8 weeks beginning on the 19 th September. The training session each night lasted one hour. In total 9 people were recruited to deliver this programme with representation from each area: Coordinator: Helen Enright Coaches: Laura Lavrey, Mike Moore, Helen Lynch, Denise Lynch, Paudie Moroney, Kevin Enright, Fiona Buckley, Rachel Conway. Many of these coaches had previously received coaching qualifications and Denise Lynch and Mike Moore attended the FUNdamentals Coaching course on October 1 st held in Mourneabbey in Cork. During each training session the girls were coached at different stations through fun games and activities. On two nights the girls played a blitz in a non competitive fun manner. Programme resources: Equipment: 20 footballs, 20 bibs and a set of cones. Promotional Material: Flyers and posters were used to promote the programme. Resources for participants: All Girls received a Jersey and a certificate to recognise their participation in the programme.
Coaches gear: All coaches and the coordinator received a hoodie to acknowledge their contribution to the programme. Bus transport was provided for the blitz in Lorrha. Administration support: The Munster development officer provided on going support to the programme by ordering jerseys, hoodies, booking the bus, facilitating the meetings, contacting parents re meetings and travel to blitz. Numbers or participants: In total 59 girls registered for the programme and the average attendance each week was 50 55. The largest proportion of girls came from the Ballylongford and Tarbert areas with smaller numbers from Asdee and Beale, reflective of the population in those areas and also of a clash with other sports on the same night in the Ballybunion area. On November 26 th 55 girls and 7 coaches travelled to the Regional Gaelic4Girls Blitz in Lorrha, Tipperary where 434 girls in total participated in over 3 hours of fun games and blitzes. Contributors to the programme: Munster Ladies Gaelic Football Association Kerry Recreation and Sports Partnership Kerry County Board Munster GAA Ballylongford GAA club
Post Programme Sustainability: On October 24 th a meeting was held for all parents to begin work on the possibilities of creating a more sustainable ladies football structure in the area. 32 people attended this meeting and 4 were identified to investigate options for the site. It was generally agreed that the areas of Beale, Asdee and Ballylongford would work together on a club structure, possibly utilising the current adult Club framework in Beale. In addition it was agreed that collaboration between Tarbert and Moyvane would be necessary for sustainability. Further meetings to develop this process took place on November 30 th and December 1 st : Nov 30 th : Attendance: All parents of all Gaelic4Girls participants from Asdee, Beale, Ballylongford were invited alongside representatives the Beale Ladies Gaelic Football club. Approx. 25 people attended this meeting, including the Beale ladies club representatives Outcome: The best option for the long term sustainability of ladies football in the area is to create a juvenile section in the Beale Ladies Football club thereby providing on going football for the Gaelic4Girls participants and also a feeder to the adult team in the club. What next: Six people were identified to form a working group with the terms of reference to meet the Beale Ladies Gaelic Football club before December 17 th to address the following: numbers, geographical issues, facilities and finance. Maurice Mc Namara will facilitate this meeting and it has been confirmed for November 15 th. Dec 1 st : Attendance: All parents of all Gaelic4Girls participants from Tarbert were invited alongside representatives from Moyvane Ladies Gaelic Football club. Ten people were in attendance including a representative from Moyvane club. Outcome: The best option to providing on going ladies football activities for the girls from Gaelic 4girls is for the girls to filter in with the Moyvane club. What next: Four people were identified to form a working group with the terms of reference to meet the Moyvane Ladies Gaelic Football club before December 17 th to address the following: Coaches, administration, fundraising, name of club, jerseys, facilities. Maurice Mc Namara will facilitate this meeting and it has been confirmed for November 13 th.