GAELIC4GIRLS SUMMARY REPORT Compiled By: William Harmon Programme Facilitator
Programme Background: Following on from a comprehensive consultation and research process, the Ladies Gaelic Football Association identified Waterville in South Kerry as a site for the Gaelic4Girls programme. Ladies Gaelic Football Association aims to increase participation and provide sustainability through increasing the number of opportunities to play and participate in Ladies Gaelic Football. The initiative is developed to create a fun and fair environment in which young girls can participate in and enjoy physical activity. From the delivery of the initiative in an area, it is also aimed to create or further strengthen the Ladies Gaelic Football club within the area, therefore providing a regular opportunity for young girls to become active. Programme Partners: The following partners were critical supporters of the Gaelic4Girls Programme in terms of session delivery and resources: The Ladies Gaelic Football Association Kerry Recreation & Sports Partnership Kerry Ladies Football County Board Colaiste na Sceilge, Caherciveen Waterville GAA Club Southern Gaels Ladies Football Club Programme Aim: To provide a 6-week programme of skill games to girls aged 9 13 years, living in South Kerry Region. To provide a physical activity opportunity, through Ladies Gaelic Football for young girls living in South Kerry Region. To target 50 girls and introduce the game of Ladies Gaelic Football to young girls living in South Kerry region and that they continue to play the game by joining or creating a club in the area Programme Objectives: A 6-week programme of skill games will be delivered to girls, aged 9 13 years, living in South Kerry Region. A physical activity opportunity will be provided, through Ladies Gaelic Football for young girls living in South Kerry Region. Knowledge and awareness will be created of Ladies Gaelic Football to young girls living in South Kerry Region. Strengthen or create ladies football club in the area to provide sustainability for the girls Programme Promotion: Met with Sports Co-ordinators of Kerry Recreation & Sports Partnership Met with Chairman of the Kerry Ladies Gaelic Football County Board Met with Southern Gaels Ladies Gaelic Football Club Representative Met with Waterville GAA Club Chairman Consulted with Martin Horgan Kerry GAA Games Development Officer Visited all national schools in the South Kerry Region Spoke with all girls from 3 rd to 6 th class. Distributed flyers and Posters.
Programme Details: Day Time Venue Mondays 6.15 to 7.15pm Waterville GAA Grounds Dates 11 th April to 23 rd May 2011 Programme Participants Geographical Spread according to schools: (Visited 11 schools during promotion) Cillin Leath, Dromid 15 St Finians, Waterville 13 St Josephs Convent, Caherciveen 12 Caherdaniel 5 Filemore 5 Scoil Breanain 3 Coars 3 Aghatubrid 2 Ballinskelligs 2 Attendance Record: Session One 50 Session Two 43 Session Three 32 Easter Session Four 37 Easter Session Five 49 Session Six 45 Blitz 1 in Tipperary 32 Blitz 2 in Dublin 30 Programme Overview: Session Date Time Activity 1 April 11 th 6.15 7.15pm Coaching Session 2 April 18 th 6.15 7.15pm Coaching Session 3 April 25 th 6.15 7.15pm Coaching Session 4 May 2 nd 6.15 7.15pm Coaching Session 5 May 16 th 5 6 pm Coaching Session 6 May 23 rd 5 6 pm Coaching Session + Presentation Evening 7 May 28 th 12 4pm Regional Blitz in Clonmel 8 July 5 th 1 5pm National Blitz in Croke Park
Co-ordinator Feedback: Co-ordinating the programme was very enjoyable. There was always good support and any if there were any queries there was no trouble getting in contact with William. A great way to meet new people and find out the views of ladies football within the locality. The blitz days were enjoyed by all and were a great success Coach Feedback: I enjoyed this programme as it gave me a chance to develop my leadership skills and learn how to make the development of the skills of Gaelic football fun and interactive. I also enjoyed seeing the girls carry on after the programme and even joining the local ladies teams to further improve their skills This programme gave us as young people the opportunity to take on the responsibility of teaching these children the benefits and enjoyment that playing sports can have for you and your friends and that it was a non competitive environment as all I was used to was playing games in a competitive way I have had a wonderful time coaching this bunch of girls with my friends and may have even enjoyed it more than the girls themselves I loved the whole experience. I enjoyed going to training and I loved that we all got to go to Croke Park Getting to know the girls, training them and going to Tipperary and Croke Park were enjoyable aspects of programme An amazing experience! Participant Feedback: It was Great fun Loved the games and coaches Loved playing in croke park Made loads of new friends The coaches were really nice Always had good fun The trips were great fun and the t- shirts and bags are class I got a chance to play and nobody shouted at me Fun and I learned lots of new ideas in football Really enjoyed playing the game Positive Outcomes: Increased Knowledge & Awareness: All girls who participated in the Programme were not members of a ladies Gaelic football club at the time and are now aware of opportunities that exist through ladies football in the area. Increased Membership: 25 girls registered with the local u12 local ladies football club as a result of the initiative. Prior to Gaelic4Girls the local ladies football club only had 8 registered at this age group. In addition, positivity and enthusiasm from parents as a result of the initiative in the area will hopefully benefit the club in the near future Progression: Identified need for local club to review current structures to ensure they maximise participation in the area and cater for all ages. As a result a club development workshop will be organised in near future.