Ulster GAA host its own ‘Oscars’!

Ulster GAA has hosted the ‘Live to Play Oscars’ in the iconic Tyrone GAA Centre at Garvaghey on Thursday 25th February.

Now in its second year, the ‘Oscars’ recognise winning and highly commended schools who emerged from entries to a Road Safety video competition held by the Provincial Council.

Of the many entries submitted to the competition, four schools were shortlisted to attend the award ceremony. The Tyrone venue was transformed as the glitz of Hollywood was played out in the Live to Play Oscars imagery.

Ulster GAA President Michael Hasson was the guest of honour among pupils from schools across the Province who came together to celebrate innovative approaches to Road Safety education.

St Dallan’s PS Warrenpoint emerged as overall winners on the day and received customised Live to Play Playing kits in their school colours.

Holy Family Magherafelt, Tattygar PS Lisbellaw and St. Malachy’s Armagh were highly commended schools and received their own ‘movie’ billboard, personalised to their individual film entry. Furthermore all participating pupils to the competition will receive a Live to Play Bookmark, thereby ensuring the learning and messages of the programme are visible daily in the classroom.

Ulster GAA’s newly developed Live to Play Teaching Resource – a DOE approved tool developed by the Council packed with facts, stats, activities and fun ways to help bring road safety education to life in the classroom – was also launched at the event.

Ulster GAA President Michael Hasson reflected on the impact this programme had made in schools. Speaking at the Oscars he said, “I am delighted to be present here today to see first-hand the enthusiasm which this programme has generated among young people on the subject of Road Safety. In Ulster GAA we are very proud of the impact Live to Play has made in addressing a very difficult issue. I believe that through innovative work, such as is on show today, we can continue to make an impression on our young people”.

Environment Minister Mark H Durkan said “I am pleased that my Department has been able to support this project through the Road Safety Grant Scheme. Congratulations to all the schools who participated in the project and in particular St. Dallan’s PS, Warrenpoint who were the overall winners.

“The resource provides road safety information for children which will help to educate them in how to cross the road, walk, cycle and travel in a car and will help them learn key road safety principles which they can take forward as they develop as independent road users.”

Photo caption: Ulster GAA President Michael Hasson and DOE’s Jim Liddy with Mrs Noreen Kelly and pupils from St. Dallan’s PS Warrenpoint, overall winners at the Live to Play Oscars.

For more details about this event please contact aileen.cummins.ulster@gaa.ie or (028) 3751 7180

Shortlisted schools in attendance are:
· Holy Family, Magherafelt
· St Dallan’s, Warrenpoint
· St Malachy’s PS, Armagh
· Tattygar PS, Lisbellaw

This event forms part of Ulster GAA’s delivery under funding sourced through the DOE’s Road Safety Grants Scheme.