The Camogie Association is pleased to partner with the recently developed GAA 5 Star Centre Initiative for primary schools which has been developed by the GAA Games Development and Research Department.
The GAA 5 Star Centre initiative aims to ensure that every child gets 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity per week throughout the 26 weeks of the school year. In doing so, it will enhance the development of children’s fundamental & functional movement abilities – culminating in bi-lateral co-ordination – and wellbeing so that children will experience fun, friendship, fairness, freedom and, ultimately, develop their fitness.
To become a GAA 5 Star Centre, primary school teachers would organise a range of activities for all children to participate in, with GAA personnel acting in a support capacity. The diverse range activities include Have a Ball, Fun & Run, Camán & Play, Catch & Kick, Skill Challenges and Go Games. Have a Ball is a series of fun-based exercises that contribute to the development of children’s rudimentary and fundamental movement skills. The GAA piloted it in Killinure N.S. and Lisnagry N.S., Limerick earlier this year.
Research conducted by a team from Dublin City University reported that, after a six-week intervention, there was an overall increase of 7.3% in children’s fundamental movement skill ability. Another exciting new game called Fun & Run, involving a team of batters/kickers and fielders, is suitable for all age and ability levels. It is particularly suited to meet the needs of people with disabilities, people from socially deprived and ethnic minority groups who often perceive themselves to be excluded from mainstream GAA activities.
The Camogie Association is delighted to partner with the GAA on this exciting initiative.
Kathleen Egan, Club and Education Support Co-ordinator said “The Camogie Association is delighted to partner with the GAA on this exciting initiative. The initiative seeks to encourage and reward schools that provide pupils with 60 minute’s moderate to vigorous activity per day. It is also a means of recognising the key role that our primary schools play in the promotion and development of camogie. By instilling this love of our games, and of physical activity, this programme has the potential to positively influence their health and wellbeing long into the future.”
We are inviting primary school teachers and principals to express their interest in this initiative by following the link below. This registration is open between now and July.
#GAA5Star
