TY Programme links with exciting Regeneration Project

This week, saw 18 enthusiastic TY Students from the Presentation Girls Post Primary school in Tralee complete phase one of their LGFA TY Programme. This programme is part of the Mitchels/Boherbee Regeneration Project which is supported by the Kerry County Council and Kerry Recreation and Sports Partnership. The main aim of the project is to increase participation in sport at school and club level particularly by students and children in the Mitchels/Boherbee Regeneration area.

As mentioned above, phase one of the programme saw the TY Students complete the LGFA TY Programme. Through this programme, the girls developed personal and lifelong skills in a fun and practical way in the areas of coaching, refereeing and event management.

The next phase of the programme will see the TY Students put the skills learned from the LGFA TY Programme into practice. Over a three week period in April, the group, supported by coaches from the local John Mitchel’s GAA Club, will coach up to 80 girls from 3^rd and 4^th Classes in the nearby Presentation Girls Primary School. In addition to this, the TY Students will then conclude the programme by organising a ‘Ladies football FUNanza’ activity day in the impressive John Mitchel’s GAA Grounds in late May where all the girls involved in the various coaching sessions will have an opportunity to showcase all their skills learned in the previous weeks.

William Harmon, National Ladies Football Development Officer for Ladies Football expressed his delight in being involved in such a project…

‘This is the first year ladies football is involved in such an initiative and we are delighted to be involved. The benefits of such a programme for all are huge.  The Transition year students have developed personal and lifelong skills from completing the LGFA TY Programme, the primary school children will experience our game in a fun and safe way and also provides the local club in the area with an opportunity to strengthen their club/school link…so everyone is a winner! At end of the day, we all have the same aim which is to promote an active and healthy lifestyle for all irrespective of what sport the girls are involved in.  We are very grateful to Department of Environment, Community & Local Government for the financial support as part of the Regeneration programme and to both Kerry County Council and Kerry Recreation and Sports Partnership for the support and continual guidance during the programme roll out. Our aim is to make this project a sustainable one with hope to expand the programme in the coming years to more schools and clubs”

According to William, the Transition Year Students in the Presentation Girls Post Primary School were great fun to work with and looks forward to next phase of the programme. Watch this space…!