The Midwest Collegiate Hurling Association (MCHA) has introduced a new program aimed at helping new clubs.

The Broken Hurl program asks all hurling clubs and players in the Midwest to donate their broken or cracked hurl to the MCHA instead of discarding it. The hurls will then be repaired and used to assist newly established collegiate hurling clubs.

Until now, the MCHA has been unable to help new clubs with equipment. They could only advise with contacts and suggestions.

"Hurling is a sport that requires more capital than Gaelic football, which is the most prohibitive aspect of starting a new club. We (the MCHA) receive emails and phone calls yearly asking for equipment assistance from new clubs. So, the desire from the students is there. It is the initial equipment that they lack." says Matt Schwertfeger, MCHA Chairperson.

Unfortunately revenue has been slow in coming. Mr. Schwertfeger comments, "We have not had much luck with finding sponsors and donors. Times are tough and hurling is still not well known among the general public. We have not previously instituted player registration fee because we wanted clubs to focus on their own development. We will be pursing revenue streams with a greater emphasis this year, it will still take time."

"We have all seen players discard hurls that could be easily repaired, or used to help repair another hurl. What we're asking players and clubs to do is take that broken hurls and donate it. There are young men and women who want the chance to play."

Anyone interested in donating their hurls should contact the MCHA at [email protected] or visit their website www.midwestcollegehurling.com for dates and locations of MCHA events where hurls will be collected.

The next MCHA event will be November 6 at Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana between 1pm and 3pm. Tweet

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