St Mary’s Handball Progress

St Mary’s Teacher’s College in Belfast is the latest 3rd Level Institution to construct One-Wall courts, as the success of the One-Wall for Schools Initiative continues to build.

Having seen a number of Primary & Secondary schools in the local vicinity erect their own One-Wall courts, and indeed the continued rise in interest in the game nationwide, Ulster GAA’s Stephen Beattie Development Officer within St. Marys had the foresight to install two One-Wall courts in their sports hall to enable their teachers in training to develop Handball coaching skills, which will be of benefit to them in their future careers as Handball goes from strength to strength.

Despite being under pressure with exams and assignments, 20 student teachers took part in a recent coaching course to an introduction to the game, and an array of coaching ideas for large class numbers, making the game an ideal PE activity.

GAA Co-Coordinator for the College Stephen Beattie, who organised the course stated:
“When we sent out the email about the Handball course we got a larger response than expected, especially given that all of the students are in the middle of exam period. But it just shows how far the game has come in recent years, and bodes well for the future. We have had to arrange for a second course to be delivered and followed by a foundation handball coaching award as now the handball seed has been planted there has been a massive interest for progression.”