Have any clubs began to plan pre-season Training Weekends? I'd be interested to hear where you are planning on going and what you intend to do.
Break For Ball had a good first year, with very positive feedback from all the teams who used us. Here's a link to some of the testimonials: http://www.breakforball.com/testimonials/
Donegal Town was a popular location, so we've added Downings Bay, as well as some other budget options such as the Ti Culainn centre in South Armagh, to our list of options.
We had Kilcoo from Co. Down away during July, before they went on to win their first Down Senior Championship in over 70 years. We did an interesting interview with their manager Jim McCorry about their weekend away, and the benefits to be gained from these type of breaks. It's worth a read:
http://www.breakforball.com/news/details/?id=27
Any of you facebookers interested in following us and becoming a fan, we'd love to have you : http://www.facebook.com/#/pages/Break-for-Ball/164317708421?ref=nf
Off topic slightly, but break For Ball were one of the main sponsors at the Dromintee Fight Night held in the Carrickdale on Saturday past. Some of the main fights included Paddy Bradley v Aidan O'Rourke, Referee Pat McEneaney v local guy, Gerard O'Kane v Kevin Dyas, Colm Begley v Dromintee footballer Vincey Martin, Dan McCartan v Micheal O'Rourke, Kevin McGourty v Barry Shannon and Aidan Carr v local guy.
There are some great photos. This gallery includes Colm Begley taking a massive uppercut in his fight: http://www.breakforball.com/gallery/images/?id=7
Here's a gallery of the boxers post shaking hands after their fights: http://www.breakforball.com/gallery/images/?id=6
Here are some snaps of the Promotional girls with some of the boxers: http://www.breakforball.com/gallery/images/?id=8
And finally the boxers in the ring as the judges called the winners: http://www.breakforball.com/gallery/images/?id=9
This year so far there has been a much greater interest from the hurling fraternity seeking to go on Training weekends.
In our winter newsletter, we have a write up on a GAA Fight Night that had some of irelands top players from leinster and Ulster as well as top referee Pat mcEneaney going toe to toe. We also have an update on where some teams are going on their training weekends and what they will be doing. The locations that they will be heading to inlcude: Donegal, Armagh, and Wicklow, with some of the teams coming from Westmeath, Antrim and Meath.
An update on how some recent weekends went. Ahoghill Camogie Team had a great weekend in Downings in Donegal. Their pics can be viewed at: http://www.breakforball.com/gallery/images/?id=11
The 3rd last photo in the set is a real clinker that really does the beauty of the place justice.
Here's what the manager of the team had to say about their weekend:
"A fabulous weekend in a stunning location. Who needs Spain when you have Donegal! Everything was so handy with the pitch and beach so close to the hotel. The sessions on and off the pitch with Emmett McKeever were top class and has really focused the squad for the months ahead. Following that the lads from Turf'n'Surf were great craic and the activites on and off the beach had everyone in great form. The day was finished off with a lovely group meal and some karaoke singing that went on into the wee hours. I think it has had the desired effect and there is a great buzz around the squad. Thanks again to Breakforball for organising an excellent package and Sinead who helped the day run smoothly onsite."
Mark Friel - Senior Team Manager, St. Mary's Camogie Club, Ahoghill
The early season has been a busy time for Team Building Weekends. You can see who went where, and who did what with break for ball by viewing the Spring Newsletter at: