Football

Boost for Derry hurling

DERRY hurling has received a New Year boost with the announcement of funding towards a strategic coaching initiative in the county.

The award of £11,000 has been made by the GAA's Hurling Development Committee following Derry's response to the recent call for proposals to develop the game in counties competing in tiers two, three and four.

Agreed partnerships with Kilkenny, Waterford and Carlow at development squad level are central to the Oak Leaf plan which will see the recruitment and training of 10 new hurling coaches, as well as three new hurling referees.

Under the new proposals, the selected coaches will attend development squad sessions with one of the tier one partners, with the aim of transferring the knowledge and experience gained back into their respective development squad and club teams.

The selected coaches will undergo level two coaching qualifications and embed 'Coach10' model practices within their approach.

The funding also includes a budget for high performance equipment for physical fitness testing and provision for four specialised coach education days throughout 2015, with Kilkenny's Martin Fogarty expected to be among the tutors.

Welcoming the announcement, newly elected Oak Leaf chairperson, Brian Smith commented: "I want to thank the National Hurling Development Committee for their backing of our plan. We don't view it as a cost but rather an investment in people.

"Hurling is a game where top quality coaching is of paramount importance. We believe this funding can help us to develop a team of top quality coaches to work with our best young players to take them to the next level.

"It is important that we get off to a good start with this 12-month programme and aim make it sustainable going forward. It's vital that we get passionate and talented coaches from within Derry to step on board with this new programme.

"Taking best practice from the likes of the Kilkennys and the Waterfords of this world, and to leverage the knowledge of people like Martin Fogarty can only be a positive for the future of the game in our county."