Camogie - Baby Steps

DOWN COUNTY CAMOGIE

BABY STEPS – This was repeated by many of the guest speakers who addressed over 40 delegates at the Down County Camogie Strategic Development Day in Liatriom Clubrooms on Sunday 22^nd January.  The 14 clubs who attended were furnished with a pack full of information in relation to a variety of topics aimed to help their club and county move forward and make camogie the number one female sport in the country. 

Committee chairwoman Maureen O’Higgins opened the day and then in turn welcomed each guest.  Helen McAleavey Ulster Council’s representative was followed by Mairin McAleenan who told the captive audience of some of her many experiences on and off the field of play. 

Current County Junior Team Coach talked about coaching before Daily Ireland’s Paul Welsh gave an overview of the role and responsibility of a good PRO.  Paddy Hardy of Cumann na mBunscol stated that help in coaching and with providing equipment was available and every club should be in close contact with schools in their area, as with all sports this is where a love for the game is founded.  After a short break Dan McCartan spoke on Administration & the Benefits of Integration with the GAA.  Eamon O’Hare gave an overview of the Development Squads in Down and the benefit to the County Teams and overall standard of football in the county. 

The last speaker before lunch was Armagh’s Inter-county referee Una Kearney who stressed the importance of encouraging young people to take up refereeing as they are as important as the teams themselves.  As usual in Liatriom a very enjoyable lunch was followed by Sheila O’Donoghue chairperson of the National Strategic Plan committee.  Final speaker of the day was Lynn Kelly National Development Officer from Croke Park.  In this her first official visit to the North since taking up appointment last year she stressed that we in Ulster would not be forgotten when help was available and as soon as a new Ulster Development Officer was appointed she would be back to assist them in assisting us. 

The delegates then broke into groups who focused on Coaching, Refereeing, Administration and Schools/Underage Development.  A sub-committee has been set up for each of these who will bring their finding back to the main committee for collating into the development of the Strategic Plan. Coaching is chaired by Kitty Fegan and will meet in Castlewellan on 6th February at 7.30pm.  Refereeing chair and his committee meet in Downpatrick on 6th February at 7.30pm.  Administration chaired by Ann Ward meet in Castlewellan on 9^th February at 7.30pm. 

The schools/underage development committee chaired by Rosie Rocks meet on 14^th February at 8pm in Castlewellan.  The main committee meet on 28^th February at 7.30pm in Castlewellan.