Carryduff Integrated Cúl Camp

Despite the changeable weather, 113 children enjoyed what was the first Carryduff Cúl Camp of the summer, the first Down Cúl Camp of the Summer and the first Integrated Cúl Camp.

Given the links the Club has developed through its Community Outreach Initiative with Glenveagh Special School it was obvious that when planning this years Cúl Camps in Carryduff provision had to be made to include special needs coaching. Thanks to the full backing of Una McKay, the Ulster Council’s Special Needs Coaching Coordinator and the Down County Board the Club was able to host a fully Integrated Cúl Camp. From the outset it was obvious that the children of Carryduff were delighted to welcome their new friends from Glenveagh, making sure to include them in all the activities of the week. Una was full of praise for the children of Carryduff saying that “they were the most welcoming children I have met”.

All the kids were particularly delighted to welcome a host of County Ladies Stars and coaches to Páirc Aodha Dhuibh. Michaela Downey, Karen Gribben and Kyla Trainor represented the Down Senior Ladies, Benny Coulter the Senior Mens team, Paula Gribben the Down camogs and also dual star Aileen Pyers. On behalf of the Club and all the participants we would like to pass on our thanks to both Una and Michaela of the Ulster Council and to the coaches from the Down Cúl Camps who made the week such a success. All the coaches, including Benny Coulter, were very complementary of the footballing skills of the Carryduff children.

Thanks also must go to Club Coordinator Eddie McCrory for organising the week, Edna McConville and Maria Bradley for making endless cups of tea and lunch for the coaches, Aoife OReilly, Katie McCann and Caoimhe McCrory for looking after the shop and Liam McLornan for helping clear up every day.

Similar camps are also in Cavan, East Down, Derry and Armagh over the summer. Contact umckay@ulster.gaa.ie for information on a wide range of inclusive initiatives and resources.