ANY kids up for a bit of quality Gaelic Games coaching? We bet you are and after the last few months of inactivity, the Irish News School Coaching Days competition is sure to be more popular than ever.
We have once again teamed up with St Mary’s University College to offer five primary schools the chance to win a fun-filled Coaching Day.
The popular competition, which is run in association with O'Neills Sportswear and Strathroy Dairy, will give schools throughout Ireland the opportunity to win two one-hour football or hurling coaching sessions designed by the St Mary's PE Department in Belfast.
Every school that enters will receive a free set of 15 O’Neills training bibs if they return 10 completed collector cards with the special tokens that will appear in The Irish News from Saturday April 10 until Saturday, May 22.
Irish News sports editor Thomas Hawkins is anticipating the biggest reaction yet to the competition, which has been running since 2006.
“There’s always lots of interest in the Coaching Days initiative, and I expect this year it will be even more popular,” he said.
“I’m delighted to link up with all the sponsors again and the St Mary’s team who do a fantastic job in ensuring the kids have a day to remember.’’
St Mary’s coach Gavin McGilly added: “Exercise is a very important part of the day for children and schools, teachers and pupils will all benefit from the sessions. We are all looking forward to getting outside and getting active.”
Kieran Kennedy, managing director of O’Neills Irish International Sports Company Ltd, was full of praise for the popular initiative.
He said: “The Irish News Coaching Days initiative has been instrumental in actively engaging young people with our national game and O’Neills are only too delighted to keep up the momentum as a partner for the scheme again this year.
''While this year’s launch takes place amid the challenging restrictions required to keep everyone safe from Covid-19, we hope to see plenty of schools putting themselves forward for what promises to be an eagerly-awaited, fun-filled day of coaching.”
Strathroy Director Ruairi Cunningham added his support, saying: “The Irish News coaching days give the competition winners the chance to learn in a fun environment while also learning the benefits of an active, healthy lifestyle.
''Strathroy Dairy is delighted to continue its partnership with The Irish News School Coaching Days.”
Teachers can register at www.irishnews.com/coachingdays
