IRISH SPORTS COUNCIL Minister launches ISC funding of €3.5m to GAA
The GAA today officially launched their new GO Games initiative in Croke Park. The initiative is part of the GAA’s Games Grassroots to National Programme which seeks to maximise participation and optimise playing standards. It was also announced that the Government would be making available additional funding of €3.59m for the GAA including the GO Games through the Irish Sports Council.
The GO games have been developed by the GAA’s Coaching and Games Development Committee. The games, in both hurling and football, are known as “First Touch” (for the 7 to 8 year old bracket), “Quick touch” (for ages 9 and 10) and “Smart Touch” (for 11 and 12 year olds). The objective is to ensure that children in both Schools and Clubs master the skills of the game in a positive playing environment and, in the process, derive maximum enjoyment from their involvement.
Speaking at the launch GAA Head of Games Pat Daly said: “In developing the GO games initiative we aim to promote full participation and to provide playing opportunities for all children at their respective levels by catering for the varying developmental needs of young players. We are also seeking to promote sportsmanship and to implement the GAA’s Code of Best Practice for Youth Sport“.
The benefits of GO Games are that there is increased enjoyment for players; the number of touches on the ball is increased as is the physical work rate of the players and the children’s own perception of their competence of the games.
It was also announced that a further grant allocation from the Irish Sports Council is being made available to assist in delivery of the GAA’s Grassroots to National Programme. The Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism Mr John O Donoghue TD, said: “Today’s allocation to the GAA has a total value of €3.59 million. It brings to €9.06 million the total invested in the GAA from 2001 to 2005 under the Special Budget Measure aimed at increasing participation in sport by young people. I would like to take this opportunity to commend the GAA for their excellent and far reaching participation Programmes which are improving the sporting lives of many young people all over the country.”
The President of the GAA Mr Sean Kelly thanked the Sports Council and the Government for their continued support for Gaelic games and for sport in general. He said “We are deeply indebted to the Government and the Irish Sports Council for their ongoing support of initiatives such as the Grassroots to National programme. Through their support, they have recognised the importance of sport for society and we hope that their contributions will help us to consolidate the position of the GAA within Irish society in performing a service for the countless thousands of people who play, coach, support and enthusiastically follow our games across the country”.
The Irish Sports Council was established with the aim of securing a more strategic approach to the promotion and development of sport in this country. The GAA Programmes funded by the Irish Sports Council include schools of excellence, summer camps and work in second level schools. 2,000 primary schools are actively involved in the organisation of games and fun blitzes. Almost 400 clubs have developed a formal link with primary schools in their locality and are actively involved in the organisation of coaching activities and skill-based competitions.
The new Chairman of the ISC, Mr Ossie Kilkenny, said “the excellent relationship between the Council and the GAA provide quality participation opportunities for young people all over Ireland, and we’re committed to working with the GAA on this basis”.
On behalf of the Irish Sports Council, Mr John Treacy said “We have worked with the GAA since 2001 on developing participation Programmes. In 2005 the GAA and the ISC focussed on the specific areas of Go Games, Hurling and the GAA in Dublin. We are delighted to work with the GAA in providing quality Programmes in these areas and look forward to continued co-operation over the coming years to the benefit of Gaelic Games and indeed sport in general”
Note; Breakdown of Irish Sports Council Funding 2005
€1.34 million Grassroots to National
€1.25 million Hurling
€1 million GAA Dublin
ENDS