Government investment boost for GAA
July 13, 2016
Pictured at the announcement of the Sport Ireland Field Sports Investment at the National Sports Campus in Abbotstown. Back l-r: Frances Kavanagh, Chair of Research Committee, Sport Ireland, Ard Stiúrthoir of the GAA Paraic Duffy, John Treacy, CEO, Sport Ireland, Minister of State for Tourism and Sport Patrick O'Donovan T.D., Kieran Mulvey, Chairman, Sport Ireland, IRFU Cheif Executive Philip Browne, FAI Chief Executive John Delaney and Dr. Úna May, Director of Participation and Ethics, Sport Ireland. Front l-r: Grainne Gilmore, from Westmanstown Youth Rugby team, Ireland rugby seven's star Hannah Tyrell, Kilkenny hurling star Richie Hogan, junior hurling player Aogán Hourican, Ireland senior international Aine O'Gorman and youth soccer player Ellie Ferguson.
Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, Patrick O'Donovan TD, today announced an investment package of €2.4 million from Sport Ireland to support grass roots development in the GAA as part of an overall €7.4 million investment in youth field sports in Ireland.
The funding will support coach development, club support, under-age programmes, volunteer support programmes, community schemes, referee development and targeting at-risk communities.
Páraic Duffy, Director General of the GAA, highlighted the impact of the investment from Sport Ireland: "The core strength of the GAA is our nationwide network of more than 2,000 clubs and the significant level of funding received from Sport Ireland helps us to make an impact at grassroots level - particularly in the promotion of our national games among young people.
"The assistance from Sport Ireland has enabled us to assemble a team of 330 Games Development personnel who are responsible for the implementation of numerous coaching initiatives.
"We continue to enjoy a surge in participation levels among young people playing Gaelic games. The number of children registered as members of the GAA, aged 10 - 12, has increased from 39,778 in 2010 to 61,487 in 2015.
"Through the Kellogg's GAA Cúl Camps alone the Association provides games and skill development opportunities for 102,384 participants. In addition to this there were 1,421 GAA Clubs who participated in Go Games Blitzes which catered for 84,500 children aged 6 to 12 years.
"Our policy of investing in young people and nurturing our future generation has been greatly enhanced by the support have received from Sport Ireland."
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