President’s Blog

President’s Blog – February 2011

Camogie stars in The Irish Daily Star

I’m delighted that in 2011 our National Leagues have a first-time sponsor. The Irish Daily Star is now on board as our media partner. This is a great boost to this competition. Pre- and post-match coverage every Saturday and Monday will definitely add to the game’s growing national profile. Check out the pics of the sponsorship announcement on the Camogie facebook by logging onto facebook.com

More people coming to our games

I am convinced that the more people we get to our games the more people will return as they appreciate the phenomenal skill of the players and the competitiveness of the sport.

The All Ireland Club Finals in Croke Park on Sunday 6th March are a huge opportunity for us now to put Camogie æin the shop window’ once again.

The four teams – Inniscarra (Cork), Killimor (Galway) Eoghan Rua (Derry), The Harps (Laois) – not only represent their club, but also their county and province.

International Women’s Day (8 March) celebrates the achievements of women past, present and future. The finals on 6 March are a great way for the wider Gaelic games family in these counties and beyond to acknowledge and celebrate our achievements by supporting our players in Croker on the first Sunday in March.

After all, a large and loud crowd creates a great atmosphere. We’ve already seen that in the Club semi-finals so let’s keep that going!

Keep your eye on our website for further details re the Finals

Learning to be more effective administrators

A night in Athlone Institute of Technology was one of the most rewarding events I attended the over the past few weeks. Nineteen club and county administrators concluded a HETAC (Higher Education Training Awards Council) accredited Certificate in Sports Administration. 

The course was spread over several weeks. The participants came from as far away as Wexford, Kilkenny, Mayo, Kildare, Wicklow, Dublin, Meath along with the ælocals’ from Galway and Roscommon.

The course focused on learning about effective meetings, running events, public relations, fundraising, planning to develop Camogie, fitness and well-being and so on.

This group are the first Camogie graduates from the Programme.

We will mark their achievement at our Annual Congress in Belfast on 25th/26th March where they will also present some of their work.

Well done to all on the commitment, enthusiasm and expertise that was so evident amongst the participants, the course presenters, Athlone IT and our own full time team who supported the initiative.

New info on child welfare and protection 

There was a strong Camogie attendance at the second GAA National Seminar on Child Protection and Welfare recently. The Seminar was for Children’s Officers across the Gaelic games’ associations.

In my capacity as Chair of the GAA Code of Best Practice in Youth Sport Implementation Group I chaired the morning session which focussed on tackling bullying. There was also a very thought provoking session on the psychology of winning and its impact on children.

ò A new information leaflet on The Role of the Club and County Children’s Officer was published for the Seminar. It is jointly endorsed by GAA/Camogie/Ladies Football/Handball and Rounders’ Associations.

ò A new leaflet on Tackling Bullying for display in clubs is also available.

Get copies by contacting MairÚad NÝ Mhaoileoin maireadnimh@eircom.net who heads up the Camogie Association’s child welfare and protection committee.

Focus on Camogie in the Universities

ò The Ashbourne and Purcell Cups are key events in February so check out the Higher Education Camogie Council (CCAO)’s website and Facebook for details of games and results www.ccao.ie NUIG are hosts and Camogie of the highest standard is a guarantee.

Joan O’Flynn
Siobhßn NÝ Fhloinn

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