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Athlone Institute of Technology proved themselves excellent hosts last Friday when they welcomed 232 first year girls from post-primary schools in the mid-west to participate in the now well-known Sp¾rt agus Spraoi le CholßistÝ. Despite torrential downpours early that morning and a slight delay in starting proceedings, a great day was had by all.
æSp¾rt agus Spraoi le CholßistÝ’ was a collaboration between the Irish Sports Council, Cumann Cam¾gaÝochta na nGael, Westmeath and Offaly Sports Partnerships and the Athlone Institute of Technology. Geraldine McGrath, as Vice-President of the Association spoke of the enjoyment factor of this project æThis is a wonderful occasion for girls from the second level can come together and participate in camogie at a fun level æ
This event is participative and non-competitive, focusing instead on the huge enjoyment factor a player can get from taking part in sport. All standards are welcome with many of these girls experiencing the sport of camogie for the first time ever.
This bunch of teenagers received coaching from the exemplary Athlone IT Camogie team and Camogie Development Officers and then participated in a blitz style tournament. The facilitating teachers also got to puck a sliotar about as they received a coaching workshop in indoor camogie and wall-ball.
Second Level Schools from Westmeath, Roscommon. Offaly, Galway and Laois took part.
Participating Schools.
Athlone Community College
Birr Community School
Elphin Community School
Gallan Community School, Ferbane
Loreto, Mullingar
Mercy, Roscommon
Mountmellick Community School
Sacred Heart, Tullamore
Scoil Mhuire, Longford
Scoil Mhuire Strokestown
St. Cuan’s Castleblakeny
Tullamore College
At the end of their action packed day, the girls were presented with specially designed T-shirts from the Westmeath and Offaly Sports Partnerships and gifts from the Sports Department in the IT.
Special Thanks to Noel Lawlor, Garry Sammon, Camillus King and the Athlone IT Camogie team under the leadership of captain Edel Dervane for their huge input into this very successful day.
The Future: Schools from the following counties will be invited to participate in æSp¾rt agus Spraoi le CholßistÝ’ in Cavan Institute during the Spring termà
Cavan, Monaghan, Fermanagh, Sligo and North Longford.
Further information: jennifer@camogie.ie
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