Strabane Sigersons members complete Ulster GAA Joint Awards Initiative

Ulster GAA President Ciaran McLaughlin has hailed the achievements of a group of young Strabane Sigersons GAA members who successfully completed the prestigious Ulster GAA Joint Awards Initiative.

Thirty-four Sigersons members in total were recognised at the event held in the Strabane club, Co. Tyrone, where former All Ireland winning Tyrone captain and manager Brian Dooher and former Tyrone ladies football captain and Sigersons club member Tori McElroy were special guests, alongside Avril Ryan, CEO of Gaisce, and Kate Thompson, Director of the Duke of Edinburgh Award.

Sixteen achieved Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award, 15 attained the Bronze Gaisce ‘President’s Award’, and three received the Silver Duke of Edinburgh Award.

Ciaran, himself a proud member of the Sigersons club, commented:

“The commitment of this group of Strabane youth members has been truly outstanding. Over the season, they have dedicated a significant amount of their time and effort to helping Sigersons as well as developing their own skills and knowledge.”

Through the award, the young members completed three sections with the club including 24 weeks of physical activity as well as 12 weeks of volunteering and skills development.

All the participants played for Strabane at various levels and as well volunteered with the club’s Go-Games and Games For All group. Additionally, a varied range of skills were learned including refereeing, photography, baking and learning to drive.

McLaughlin concluded: “This was a huge commitment for these young people, and I commend all of them and congratulate them in achieving so much through our Ulster GAA Joint Initiative.

“I hope their commitment to their club and motivation to the GAA will remain strong. It’s fair to say that the future is bright for the club with these young people involved.”

Anyone interested on getting involved in the Joint Award Initiative should log onto www.ulster.gaa.ie/thejointaward