GAA to bring Belfast alive

Children across Belfast are to receive expert GAA coaching over the summer months as part of the GAA’s new National Urban Programme.

In Belfast, children aged 11/12 years old will have the opportunity through their local GAA club to receive expert training in Gaelic Football and Hurling which will include the skills competition having all participants’ scores taken. The top 5 performers from each club will then go forward to an All City final on Wednesday the 31st August.

The programme also aims to promote Péil Abú and Camán Abú which are tag football and hurling games targeting the 16+ age group and also including Gaelic4Mums and Recreational GAA participants in clubs. Due it the non-contact element of the games, teams can be mixed gender, abilities and age groups.

UlsterGAA’s Director of Coaching and Games Dr Eugene Young, stated, “This initiative is part of the GAA’s new National Urban Programme and aims to increase GAA participation levels in Belfast as Ulster’s largest urban area. We hope that through this programme children will have the opportunity to develop their skills in Gaelic Games but it also has the competitive edge as the top performers will be rewarded with a place in the All City Final in August. There is a lot of excitement in the City of Belfast about this programme and that’s exactly what we want to generate – an excitement and interest in Gaelic Games.”

Ulster GAA President Aogán Ó Fearghail said, “This is an excellent initiative which we hope will breathe new life into the GAA in Belfast, especially among our younger generation. There are many challenges facing the GAA in urban areas across this island, including Belfast which include a fall off in participation, other attractions and less active lifestyles. We hope that with an investment and emphasises on urban areas we will be able to enhance our structures, increase in interest in Gaelic Games.”