Development Report

Primary Schools’ Report

A delegation from An Cóiste Naisiúnta attended a meeting in Croke Park in March and presented a prioritised list of recommendations to the Schools’ Workgroup.  The final report was circulated to each county secretary as requested at the General Meeting.

Roadstone Awards

The Eighth Annual Roadstone Awards took place in The Berkeley Court Hotel on December 10^th with President Mary McAleese as Guest of Honour.  Special guests were Uachtarán CLG Seán O’Ceallaigh, former Presidents Joe McDonough and Seán McCague and incoming President Nicky Brennan.   President McAleese graciously accepted our invitation to present the inaugural Pat Trainor Memorial Award to Co. Down’s Michael Hanley.  The late Pat Trainor’s family were present on the night.  This award is a fitting and memorable tribute to our former National Treasurer.  Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.  A large attendance enjoyed a wonderful night.  Congratulations to all the award winners and nominees.  There is no doubt that Marty Morrissey contributes immensely to the success of the night.  Thanks to Marty and his panel of assessors, Helen O’Rourke, Joe McDonough, Jarlath Burns, Martin Breheny and Jim O’Sullivan who contribute so much to this highlight of our year.  Thanks also to Ronnie Delany and David Roche for their immense contribution to the smooth running of the night.  A special word of thanks to Roadstone for their sponsorship of the event, especially Managing Director Mr. Frank Byrne.  Unfortunately Roadstone have decided to terminate their sponsorship of the awards after a long association with Cumann na mBunscol.  Since the inception of the awards the ceremony has grown into a fantastic social occasion, thoroughly enjoyed by all.  The stature of the awards ceremony is largely due to the contribution of Roadstone.  We are eternally grateful for their sponsorship over the years.  We are actively seeking a new sponsor for this prestigious event in the annual GAA calendar.  Hopefully the awards ceremony will continue to flourish.

Go-Games

The National Launch of Go-Games took place in Croke Park on September 14^th.  Provincial and County launches followed the national launch.  Each county had a Go-Games coordinator appointed. Vouchers were to be given to each school at the various venues for the county launches.  We encourage the promotion of Go-Games skills and rules.  However it is left to the discretion of each County Committee to decide how Go-Games are to be implemented at county level.

Tosach Maith

Cumann na mBunscol Naisiúnta produced a package entitled Tosach Maith aimed at counteracting the alarming rise in obesity in our children.  Its aim was to encourage physical activity and healthy bodies through participation in Gaelic Games, specifically targeting 4-8 year olds.  Each school would receive a skills pack for coaching generic skills.  The package is presently with a number of potential sponsors.  It is essential that we be seen to be at the forefront of the battle with obesity.  Hopefully a sponsor will be found to promote the package.

Provincial Development

Provincial Development Officers were invited to a meeting on 10^th September with the Cóiste Náisiúnta where a report was given on events within each province.  It is encouraging to note the development of our games in each province.  The exhibition games continue to be a marvellous pedestal for Cumann na mBunscol in each province.

In Connacht a marvellous growth in hurling competitions was reported in Mayo with 39 teams competing.  The success was acknowledged as being due to the work of the hurling GPO Adrian Hession.  It was also reported that the first representative game for young

Connacht hurlers took place at the Galway v Antrim game in Salthill.  Tribute was paid to John Tobin for his work in acknowledging the value of Cumann na mBunscol and for his summer course in Coaching and Child Development.  The cooperation with Sligo IT in providing coaches is to be highly commended.

Coiste Laighin were extremely busy as usual in promoting all aspects of our games.  Gerry O’Meara presented a detailed account of activities.  The promotion of wheelchair hurling is to be commended, as is the Young Whistlers programme in Dublin.  The indoor hurling blitz is continuing to grow.  Finals day in Croke Park is a wonderful advertisement for our games and activities.

In Munster it is reported that indoor hurling is growing in popularity and that the promotion of handball will undoubtedly improve with the foundation course for tutors as there is a feeling that teachers do not have the necessary skills to coach handball.  It is hoped that greater cooperation between club coaches and schools will have mutual benefit for all.  The Calvita Primary Game continues to be a major source of publicity for our activities.  Credit to those involved in the administration and facilitation of the Calvita Primary Game.  The launch of The Primary Game in Fermoy Golf Club was a highly successful event with a number of inter-county players in attendance.

In Ulster exhibition games are becoming a major showpiece and there was much coverage given to the exhibition game between Derry and Antrim in the Ulster hurling championship.  The Ulster Council provided a complete skip for children who played at half time during the Ulster Final in Croke Park.  Indoor games are still very popular with more schools participating.  The handball regional finals were very successful in Kingscourt, Co. Cavan.  Quiz activities are also attracting large entries from all counties.  Girls’ competitions are growing with a considerable increase in participating schools.

Calvita offered to extend their sponsorship of exhibition games to all provincial units.  Each province was left to discuss this proposal.

Once more coaching in schools is an area of great concern.  It is important that the Cumann na mBunscol representative on the County Board actively pursues the need for regular and appropriate coaching in our schools.  The rep. must also be an active member of the Coaching and Games Development Committee. Suitably qualified coaches must carry out coaching.  The issue of gender may be used as an excuse for failing to have regular or constant coaching in our schools.  Any shortcomings with coaching may be addressed with greater cooperation with local clubs.  Each club should be encouraged to appoint a schools’ liaison officer.

Perhaps each Cóiste could undertake to set up their own website.  Those websites already in existence provide amenable and valuable access for many of our schools.  The website could provide the mechanism for downloading pertinent information.  Links could be established to all county and provincial units.  Advanced technology is enabling express delivery of all information via e-mail.  This is to be commended.  Surely a body such as Cumann na mBunscol would embrace the benefits of e-mail and website use?

We face many challenges.  There exists concern over the failure to attract new or younger committee members.  It is incumbent upon us all to try and reinvigorate the passion of those who promote our games.  Altruism is often scorned.  We must try to have Cumann na mBunscol play a proactive role in the life of our children and schools’ body.  Thank you for your invaluable work in promoting our games.

Thank you to my fellow officers on the National Committee for their support during this past year.

Paul Duggan