TRALEE SPORT'S ACADEMY
HUGE EFFORT BY COUNTY COMMITTEE
At last Friday's presentation event, in Páirc Aibhistín de Staic, the Tralee District G.A.A. Clubs were
afford a preview of the forthcoming Tralee Hurling Academy sessions which will be held weekly in the
all-weather grounds in the I.T.T., Droim Tacair. If supported this coaching venture will give a great boost
to Hurling in the Kingdom. Kerry Coach, John Bergin, outlined the ambitious plans to encourage Tralee
District youngsters to get seriously involved in playing the game of hurling. Club officers, mentors, parents
and the general public are urged to give full support to this promising project. If you love the game of
leather and ash, this is your opportunity to promote our sister game. Ná ligtear don seans seo imeacht
tharainn; strength is in unity.
Boys and girls from 8 to 11 years of age are the targeted body and an enthusiastic attendance should
afford the chance to get the camáns swinging among the many young people who have not yet experienced
the thrill of playing the most skilful game of all!
The Academy of Juvenile Hurling will commence on Monday of next week, 14th April, and will run for an
initial 11 weeks (Mondays) but will continue until the end of the autumn if the enthusiasm and interest is
maintained, i.e., if the demand is in the marketplace! Each session will take an hour or so every Monday:
6.15 p.m. 'till 7.30 p.m.
This County Board initiative is a golden opportunity for C.L.G. in Jimmy Foley's Board's area. Clubs in the
Tralee area are Na Stacaigh, a club that has kept the hurling flag ar foluain in recent years and that won
its last minor hurling championship just over 21 years ago, Na Gaeil, a club that had some hurling up to a
few years ago under the title of ''Trá Lí Óg'', Na Ó Céirín-Ó Rathailligh, they won a Junior Championship
a few years back, Na Mistéalaigh, with 4 Co. Senior Championships to their credit, St. Pat's/Blennerville,
Spá/Churchill and Baile Mhic Eileagóid.
Every club is asked to send as many players as possible as well as representatives to encourage the
youngsters. If the girls attend in good numbers a Tralee Camogie team might come on stream! Agus
b'fhéidir go dtabharfadh na cailíní misneach dos na buachaillí! It will operate like the Academy that took
place in the Austin Stack Park last summer and which reached a peak attendance of 120 hurlers.
Two fully qualified G.A.A. coaches, under the guidance of the Kerry Co. Board Hurling Steering Committee,
will lead the band and it is expected that a gigantic effort will be made by all concerned. All aspects of
coaching will be attended to. It is also planned that the coaches will attend weekly coaching sessions in
participing clubs. Hurleys, sliotars and helmets will available on the first evening and may later be
purchased at very very reasonable prices and even Dads/Moms will be given a camán at about 20% of
normal costas when a special parents' night will be held on 2nd June! That's encouragement!
Primary school teachers are also urged to encourage their pupils to attend.
It is hoped that hurling mini-games will be organised in May/June to give the coaching sessions a pep-up.
And, ní nach ionadh, helpers/volunteers/parents will be needed to support the coaches.
Later, this month, a foundation coaching course will be given for would-be trainers and for
parents/mentors/adults who would like to familiarise themselves with the finer points of the ''skilful
game''.
Let's look forward to an exciting opening to the Tralee Academy of Hurling on Monday next in the I.T.T.
at 6.15 p.m. Ní neart go cur le chéile.
(Other similiar sessions will be organised in Killarney, etc., in the near future.)
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