Successful First Year blitz organised by Galway GAA
More than 400 First Year students participated in a blitz organised by Galway GAA on Wednesday. Photo by Galway GAA Coaching & Games
By Cian O'Connell
It was a busy Wednesday in Bekan as more than 400 students participated in a First Year Gaelic Football blitz organised by Galway GAA.
Jack Hynes, a Games Development Co-Ordinator with Galway GAA, organised the event alongside coaching and games colleagues in the county.
With 14 schools represented, Hynes was delighted with the mixture of football and fun. "It's something we run every year, and in fairness to all the school teachers that are involved, it's a great way to start off the year," Hynes says.
"A lot of them coming here, they don't know their students yet regarding football. So, on days like this, they get to know who they have, and it's a great day for lads to get playing in Bekan, using these great facilities. We plan to run more of these days, too."
Creating and maintaining links with schools is key according to Hynes. "We run these days, and we run Juvenile competitions," he explains.
A lot of the competitions don't start until later in the year, so running these competitions, especially when the weather is good, it's great to get them out playing. Our role as GDCs, it creates that link between us and the schools."
Galway GAA Games Development Co-ordinator Jack Hynes is also in charge of ATU Galway's Sigerson Cup team. Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile
The fact that so many clubs were represented at the Connacht GAA Centre of Excellence offered another source of encouragement. "We've five pitches going, we've 20 teams with 14 schools involved," Hynes adds.
"It's great to see schools from all over Galway coming to it. Carraroe are here, all the schools from north Galway, Clonfert from Ballinasloe, and it's great to see high participation from the city schools. It's a really good day for Galway football, just getting lads out playing football.
"For a lot of them, it might be their first time playing football. So, it's introducing lads, and they're getting to see these facilities. Obviously, it's great for us as development officers to see the talent coming through in Galway."
Hynes is adamant that it's hugely beneficial for students adapting to life in secondary school. "A lot of them, this is the first time playing for their school," Hynes says.
"Now, they're playing with different clubs and playing together in school. It's a great way to start off their Post Primary school career.
"It gets them mixing straightaway. It's a way of trying to integrate them into a school and get them up the ladder regarding that."
