GAA Hurling Development Plan details announced

The GAA today announced the details of its Hurling Development plan in which will see €2.6milllion invested in coaching and games development initiatives. The plan, which aims to revitalise hurling throughout the country, was launched by GAA President Sean Kelly in the company of the Minister for Arts, Sports and Tourism, Mr John O’Donoghue and representatives of the four Provincial Councils.

The initiative will see the appointment of a number of hurling personnel at both national and provincial level. In Connacht, one full time and 23 part time personnel will be put in place while a Hurling Development Manager and a Hurling Development officer have been appointed in Ulster where each of the nine counties are also in the process of appointing a Hurling development officer.

Leinster have already appointed four Hurling Development Administrators in Laois/Carlow, Meath/Kildare, Wicklow/North Wexford and Offaly/Westmeath.  Three representatives from each County will sit on a steering committee which will be chaired by a member of the Leinster Council and a comparable administration system will be adopted for Dublin, Kilkenny and Louth/Longford. In Munster, Hurling Development Administrators have been appointed in Kerry and Limerick City.

In total, 19 full time and 23 part time officers will be engaged as part of the initiative, and it is envisaged that they will contribute to the implementation of a range of new Hurling Development projects in addition to the work that is already being carried out. The implementation of the Hurling Go Games is an essential part of the National Plan to increase participation, as is the roll out of the National Summer Camp Programme in 2006. It was also confirmed that a job specification is currently being finalised for approval by the Irish Sports Council (ISC) and the GAA’s Central Council in relation to the appointment of a National Hurling Development Manager/Coordinator

The Irish Sports Council have provided funding of €1.25million for the initiative with the Sports Council of Northern Ireland contributing €354,000 and the GAA €1million.

*Note: Further information on the appointment of personnel and projects being undertaken is contained in the attached summary document