Students to study GAA at College

August 4th, 2009

Ulster GAA and St Mary’s University College Belfast have today announced a pioneering joint initiative to offer a College Accredited Course in ‘Gaelic Games Team Fit’.

This course will be the first of its kind offering Gaels the opportunity to study, part time, the theory and practical elements of Gaelic Games. The course will take place on Wednesday nights 6pm – 9pm for 11 weeks starting on 7th October.

Expert GAA tutors will teach the course over an 11-week period to a class of 30 people in St Mary’s University College, Belfast. No formal qualification is required to gain a place on the course but one essential criterion is that all course recipients must have access to an adult GAA team which they will work closely with to transfer the knowledge taught in the classroom into practice on the pitch.

Announcing this cutting-edge joint initiative Ulster GAA’s Director of Coaching and Games Development, Dr Eugene Young, stated,

“The GAA is Ireland’s largest amateur sporting and cultural organisation, in Ulster alone there are over 250,000 people involved in the GAA. Our players play the game because they love the game. It’s as simple as that. But just because our games are classed as ‘amateur sports’ should not give the impression that our players and structures are any less than professional.

Our athletes could compete with any professional athlete in terms of fitness, skill and commitment and we believe in investing in our athletes and our games. This course is one key initiative to provide our volunteers with the opportunity to learn about Gaelic Games and wider Sports Science issues so that they can bring it back to their clubs and counties to help train our sportspeople to the highest standards.

I have no doubt that there will be huge demand for this course, which is accredited by St Mary’s University College and I would urge Gaels who are interested in developing their coaching skills and knowledge of sports science to apply for a place. The course is open to everyone regardless of qualifications, age, gender, or background.”

St Mary’s University College Senior Physical Education Lecturer, Paddy Tally, will be Course Director of ‘Gaelic Games Team Fit’, he stated,

“This is an exciting partnership between St Mary’s University College and Ulster GAA. We already work very closely together promoting Gaelic Games and providing coach education within the College and this will be an extension of that.

This course will offer GAA sportspeople the opportunity to receive a College Accredited Certificate, that is an important accolade for those who work tireless in a voluntary capacity developing Gaelic Games within their own clubs and counties.

We hope this course will offer the participants the chance to gain knowledge, understanding and new opportunities for personal development and also to give them something positive to work towards.

Places are limited to 30 and there is no doubt that there will be many people interested in this course so I would urge people to apply early.”

‘Gaelic Games Team Fit’ aims to develop:

an awareness of the essential components of preparation for Gaelic Football and Hurling teams,
an understanding of the underlying science and theory of sport science,
an understanding and knowledge of the application of sport science and technology to Gaelic Teams.
a range of theoretical and practical skills.

So that students:

are prepared for working with Gaelic teams of minor aged level and above,
are well-equipped for a range tasks within the Gaelic Football/Hurling team environment,
can contribute effectively to the preparation and performance of Gaelic Teams,
can achieve personal fulfilment in this area of study.

The Course fee is £300. Ulster GAA will be offering bursaries for eligible students.

Applications are now open for the course, which is due to start on 7th October 2009. To apply log onto:www.smucb.ac.uk or www.ulster.gaa.ie

For further information see ‘Advertisement‘ or contact:
Dr Eugene Young, Tel: 028 (048) 3751 7180, Email: eugene.young.ulster@gaa.ie

– Team Fit Application Form 2009/2010
– Team Fit Course FAQ’s
– Advertisement