Ulster GAA Cúchulainn Cup
Background
The Cúchulainn Cup is Ulster GAA’s flagship cross-community project which runs each year. The aims of the project is to promote Gaelic games to those who may be unfamiliar with them, while also encouraging schools to come together to learn, play and compete. The Cúchulainn Cup takes place in Spring annually involving invited schools from across Ulster in a day of skills-tests and games in Gaelic Football and Hurling.
Purpose
The goal of the project is focused on extending the hand of friendship to schools, communities, and families who would not normally associate with the GAA. This is achieved by inviting schools from a town (maintained, controlled and integrated); to come together to form a cross-community under-16 Cúchulainn Team. Pupils who have very little interaction with the GAA have the opportunity to learn more about the Association through “Getting to Know the GAA” talks, and are afforded the opportunity to take-part in Gaelic Games through “Taster Sessions”. Schools select five pupils from the “Taster Session” to represent their school in their “Cúchulainn Team” made-up of pupils from other schools in their town.
There are many advantages to a school in becoming involved. Firstly the players are given the opportunity to experience new sports, learning new skills which are transferrable across many sports. The coaching is supplemented with a visit to each school by Ulster GAA Staff to give an insight into the background of the GAA. The project aims to broaden horizons, and give a better perspective of an Association participants may have little knowledge of.
Feedback from participating schools highlights that the major positive of the Cúchulainn Cup is the opportunity for players to integrate and spend time with their peers.
Many friendships have been forged between players through their involvement in the programme, something which would simply not have happened otherwise. Ulster GAA are proud of this and will continue to promote an environment of mutual respect and understanding.
Of course a huge advantage to the schools is the forging of better working relationships between local schools. Once again feedback from teachers has been hugely positive of the relationships established through collective goals and activities.
We are regularly reminded about the need to be more physically active. Perhaps the opportunity to try Gaelic Games will be the catalyst for a Cúchulainn Cup participant joining a GAA club, or another sports club? The GAA club network is extensive and Ulster GAA will link any player to their local GAA club should they wish to do so; many of whom do.
Finally, more and more we are reminded that entities within communities will need to engage more closely with each other in order to share resources. It is therefore an excellent time to break-down barriers; the Cúchulainn Cup being one example of how Ulster GAA are playing a part in community leadership.
To enquire about getting your school involved in the Cúchulainn Cup, or for more information please contact elaine.mckeown.ulster@gaa.ie
