National Go Games
Week should see 60,000 children getting an opportunity to play in blitzes in
each of the 32 counties during the school Easter holidays to mark the start of
the 2019 Go Games playing season. Also, 8,000 children will play in Croke Park
over an action-packed eight days.
Uachtarán CLG, John Horan, is delighted that the GAA, LGFA, and Camogie
Associations are working closely together to promote Go Games throughout
Ireland.
“The aim of Go Games
is that every girl and boy between the ages of 6 and 11 will have positive
introduction to Gaelic games. It is vital that three Associations are working
closely together to make this a reality and, thankfully, this is the case. The
magnitude of National Go Games Week is testament to this.”
Ladies Gaelic
Football Association President Marie Hickey commented: “We were delighted to
welcome 62 clubs, representing 31 counties, to Croke Park on Monday, April 15.
“Each year, the LGFA
is assigned one day at Croke Park and in 2019, we ran an Under-10 Go Games
Blitz.
“Go Games blitzes
were held across the country in March, with all participating teams entered
into a draw to make it to Croke Park.
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“The players and
mentors from each of the lucky clubs had the experience of a lifetime when they
lined out at Croke Park.”
Uachtarán an Cumann
Camógaíochta Kathleen Woods said: “These eight days of Go Games are a fantastic
occasion for boys and girls from across the country to experience playing on
the hallowed turf of Croke Park and also to take part in blitzes throughout the
country. These are the future stars of our games and this experience can
inspire lifelong journeys in our games.”
Pat Culhane, GAA
National Games Development Officer, noted that “57,000 children participated in
National Go Games Week last year and we are hoping for even bigger numbers this
year.”
Encouraged by the
response of clubs and primary schools in Ireland, Culhane is adamant about the
relevance of the Go Games initiative.
“The GAA, LGFA and
Camogie Association are making a massive effort to re-energise the whole Go
Games initiative this year. Go Games are hurling/camogie and Gaelic football
for children up to 11 years of age – there are no other types. It is national
policy of each Association. The “Go” means that every boy and girl should get
an opportunity to play in every game, for the whole game. The emphasis is on
participation, taking precedence over performance and winning. One in three
children aged 6 to 11 play Go Games every year in Ireland. It is a gigantic
social movement, which aims to maximise participation, fun, friendship, fair
play and sense of achievement for all. This cannot be achieved by children
sitting on sidelines.”
Social Media:
#GAAGoGames
