HURLING The U6 / U8 hurling season started on the last Wednesday in February with the weather improving just in time for them. The U10 hurlers started back early February on Sunday mornings. When March came they started training on the usual U10 Thursday evening slot on the astro-turf. This year Parteen GAA Club amalgamated with Meelick at U12, U14, U16, Minor and U21. The amalgamation at these age groups will be called Parteen Meelick. As well as improving player numbers at the various ages, this partnership will improve the quality of hurling, therefore developing players for the future. We would like to welcome the players, coaches and parents to this amalgamation and look forward to playing at higher levels with the combined resources. The U12 hurlers started back training in early February with excellent numbers. The panel is gelling well and they are looking forward to attending a blitz in Croke Park on 30th March. The U12 squad will compete at the equivalent of U12B. The U13/U14 team trained over the winter in preparation for the early start to the u14 championship (mid to late March). This proved a great success with very good attendance. The U13/U14 squads will compete at U13B and U14B respectively. 6 of the squad s players attended county development/trials over the winter months and all 6 players who trialled for the East Clare U14 Hurling squad made the 23. The East Clare squad is one of 3 U14 squads which will be finalised into 2 squads in the coming month. These 2 squads will then compete at the Tony Forristal and Sonny Walsh tournaments in August. Well done to all the players and coaches who should be proud of such an achievement and best of luck. The U16 will start training shortly for their championship and the minor championships will be later in the year. The U18 won t start until out in the year as their championship is a summer run. In the meantime Parteen boy Nathan Fox captained Ard Soil Ris to their Harty cup win on 20th Feb 2016. Well done to Nathan and Jeff Ryan (also on the squad) on their win. The U21 squad trained over Jan/ Feb under the mentorship of some of our Intermediate squad. The U21 Parteen-Meelick team played their first match of the knockout championship on Sunday 28th February against St. Joseph's Doora-Barefield in Corofin. Our young team were well beaten by a strong St. Josephs team but most of our players will be eligible to play u21 for a few more years. The Intermediates are back in harness under new mentorship and we wish them the best of luck and fruitful year. 1 P a g e
CAMOGIE The u6, u8, u10 and u12 camogie teams will start back training 4th March and look forward to a busy, funfilled year ahead. The u14 girls started training indoors in Clonlara hall in January in preparation for the early start to their championship (due now to start end March). They went on a team building session to Derg Isle in January also where they showed how tough they were in winter weather conditions. The day was a great success. U16 and U18 girls are assisting Broadford this year and have started back training. For the first time in a long time Parteen have entered the Junior League competition. They are training hard on a Thursday evening for the early start to that championship (late March). Needless to say all coaches and squads were eager to get back out hurling and our astro has again greatly enhanced our ability to play over the poor weather. We will be well into March before we can contemplate using the grass. Registration The club held successful registration nights on 16th & 17th Feb following visits to the 2 local Primary schools. The teachers and kids in both Parteen National school and Scoil Ide were very welcoming and eager when our members visited each class. There are still members yet to register and please note all players must register for the 2016 season to take part in training sessions and matches. Contact Aisling on 0868144866 for registration. Coaching @ Schools Hurling training started in Parteen National School in January this year, facilitated by Peter Casey, Clare GAA Games Development Officer. Peter focussed on Junior Infants -2nd class for the first three Wednesdays. The sessions focussed on Fundamental Movement skills, making it highly participative for all children with a high certainty of success and enjoyment for all. The following 3-weeks focussed on 3rd-6th class. As a follow-on to these sessions, Parteen GAA & Camogie club coaches Eoghan Mannion and Sarah Koyce continued the Junior Infants-2nd class sessions on Tuesdays for a further 3 weeks. Thanks to Eoghan, Sarah and Parteen National School for undertaking this co-operative approach, which we hope will yield further opportunities in the future. Parteen National School after school hurling for 3rd-6th class will start after Easter. This is a great opportunity for the kids to practice their skills. More details shortly. NEW CLUBHOUSE Construction work is due to begin in March for our new clubhouse. Fundraising is a priority for 2016 to help fund this development so please support events if you can. There will be the necessary safety precautions in place during construction. Please obey all signs. 2 P a g e
Coaching for Coaches There were various coaching courses held over the last 2 months. There was a GAA Coaching conference held in Croke Park Jan 23 rd and 1 club rep attended. There was a Munster Camogie Coaching workshop in February and Parteen coaches attended. A Foundation course was held in Clonlara hall over 3 Thursdays in January and 8 club reps completed. Kelvin Harrold delivered a course in Fundamental Movement Pathway on Feb 6 th 3.30-5.30pm (U8-12) where the club was represented. This was a repeat of the course he gave in Nov 2015 in Parteen when a number of our coaches attended. Kelvin also delivered a Strength &Conditioning course on Feb 25 th in Clonlara (u14-18) where again club coaches attended. On the evening of Sunday 28th February a Coaches coaching session was held on the astro-turf. CAMPS: The club will be running its annual Easter hurling/ camogie camp on 21st-23rd March. This has been a great success over the last few years with over 100 kids attending and it s a great opportunity for kids to socialise, get some exercise and fresh air & practice their hurling. Booking essential! Cul Camp in Parteen this year is 11th-15th July. Please keep these dates in mind. More details - https://www.kelloggsculcamps.gaa.ie/ Parteen GAA are delighted to have been selected for Phase 2 of the Healthy Club Project. We are the only Club to be represented in Co. Clare. This is an exciting initiative driven by the GAA to support clubs in increasing the health and well being of its members and communities it serves. The project has generated a unique partnership with the HSE and Irish Life to support its endeavours. As part of the move to the "one club model' in Jan 2016 Parteen GAA appointed its first health and well-being officer, Karen Williamson, whose role is to support the club to be a healthier place for everyone to enjoy. May 8th is the official start date for the Healthy Club Project initiatives but keep an eye on Parteen-GAA website or FB for current activities such as operation transformation walks which take place on Wed 7.30 pm from Tesco car park or sun 11.45 am from Parteen clubhouse, Westbury. 3 P a g e
UPCOMING EVENTS As per previous years the club will be marching as part of St. Patrick s Day parade in Limerick city. The theme of the parade this year is Commemorate. The Parteen GAA club kids will be marching as the Irish Citizen Army and we are hoping all the boys and girls will wear a flatcap (maybe borrow from a relative or neighbour) along with their Parteen gear. We would like the older boys and girls (U10 and up) to bring and march with their Hurleys (as was done by the ICA in early years). (FYI, Flatcaps on sale in Guineys for 5) TRAD AFTERNOON: 4-7pm Family Fun, Mc Mahons Pub, Ardnacrusha - 1916 Rising Commemoration bring your instruments, singing voice & dancing feet!! Order your merchandise from Niamh Cooney on 0866067725 ASAP to have on time for the parade. Our Annual Bingo night is 24th March (Holy Thursday) Venue: Absolute Hotel, 7:30 10pm (shorter this year!) Adults: 10 / Book Children: 5 / Book GOLF CLASSIC: East Clare Golf Club Friday 29 th April 160 / Team of 4 (meal included) Presentation: McMahons Bar, from 9pm. Great Prizes to be won. Please support. Club Newsletter If you have anything you would like to include in future club newsletters please email Club PRO Sinead Nolan on pro.parteen.clare@gaa.ie 4 P a g e
5 P a g e Parteen St Nicholas GAA Club Newsletter March 2016