Roe Valley Learning Community Gaelic Team

Under the ethos of Sharing Education, the partner schools in the Roe Valley have joined together again to field a team in the Ulster Vocational Schools competition. To date many of the activities and ventures through the Sharing Education Programme between the five schools have been curricular and classroom based however this marks one of the many initiatives outside the classroom setting. The team currently fields 6th Year players from Limavady Grammar School, St. Patrick’s College Dungiven, Limavady High School and St. Mary’s and Rossmar. The team have already played Holy Trinity College Cookstown, St. Ciaran’s College Ballygalwey and Sacred Heat College, Omagh. A very striking design incorporating the colours of all five schools was agreed upon and Sports Development Roe Valley has generously sponsored that strip that will be used in all future games. Ollie Mullan said that, “the partnership between the schools of the Roe Valley and Limavady Borough Council is continuing to flourish, particularly in the area of sports” It is a testament to the strength of the Roe Valley Learning Community that young people can now enjoy opportunities to learn together in the classroom, explore life issues together and come together on the sports field – a truly shared future.

St. Canice Dungiven After School Football

St Canice Dungiven PS After School coaching in Dungiven Sports Pavilion, some very good players to watch out for in the years to come, too many to name individually but they all have a good sound foundation in the GAA.

See photo with Development Officer Richard Ferris

Improving Standards

On Saturday 5th February, Roe Valley Sports Department in conjunction with the Gaelic Games Development officer Richard Ferris,had its first squad session in Drumsurn GAC 20 players from the clubs in the borough attended a good start. The squad will have coaching sessions, strength & conditioning sessions, information on lifestyle management and will compete in games against Club Derry Development Squads (U16 & U17s) etc. The next session will be a Strength and Conditioning session in Saint Matthew's GAC Drumsurn at 10am on Saturday the 12th of February. This Squad is still open to other players to join.

St, Mary's Limavady Road to Croker

St Marys High School Limavady “Road to Croker” Programme in full swing on Thursdays evenings, with their Year 8 Boys taking part. The Boys are split into 6 teams of 6-a-side playing two touch Gaelic Football and they are really enjoying each evening’s football.Some very competitive matches This event is co-ordinated by Richard Ferris and help is provided from Mr. Mc Gilligan and Mrs. Mc Gee, teachers from the school, which was greatly appreciated.

Rosmar School and LEAP Programme

The Rosmar Special School Limavady/LEAP project has bee running each Friday morning in Roe Valley Leisure under the stewardship of Richard Ferris and Des O Boyle the aim is to provide the young people who participate in the programme a supportive, engaging and challenging environment in sport. Benefits of Rosmar/Leap project: the group leaders see both groups have increased their understanding of working together.

Roe Valley GAA Foundation Course

On Friday 21st and Saturday 22nd of January Roe Valley Leisure Centre hosted a Child Protection and the New GAA foundation coaching course for coaches. A large turn out attended the child protection; 51 coaches, then on Saturday 17 coaches completed the full course.Paul Simpson and Richard Ferris delivered the course. Thanks to Ollie Mullan and all the staff at RVLC for all their help and co-operation. Thanks to all the coaches who attended, they certainly applied themselves very well!

Limavady Wolfhounds Club Coaching Night

On Wednesday night in St Mary's Limavady Sports hall over 30 underage coaches from the Limavady Wolfhounds club came together with Richard Ferris the Gaelic Games Develoment Officer for a Workshop on Planning and implentation a coaching structure for underage teams within their club. Firstly, Richard put Limavady U14s through a coaching session including a Warm Up, Mini Games, Skill Develoment tips, Coaching a Skill, team play games and a Cool Down. Then each team of coaches planned 2 coaching sessions for their teams which will be copied and passed onto all team coaches from U6-U18's. The Limavady Wolfhounds Youth Officer Ronan Curley is tasked with the job of carrying these session plans across to each coach from each squad or team.

Finaly all attentees watched a powerpoint presentation on the coaching structures and plans within Crossmaglen GAC in Armagh and how this has worked to gain success at all levels, titled "Success The Crossmaglen Way".

Foundation and Child Protection Course

Day / Date	Programme	Workshop	Title Venue	Cost
Fri 21 Jan	GAA Coaching Awards	Child Protection	Roe Valley L.C.
Sat 22 Jan	GAA Coaching Awards	Foundation Course	Roe Valley L.C.	Free to Limavady Council District Clubs

See above foundation coaching course, Free to clubs within the Limavady Borough council area. £25 to anyone from outside the Borough.

Please forward names to Richard Ferris before Monday 17th January.

Please pass this information on to potential coaches within your club.

Last year we had a great course a wide variety of coaches some great ideas with plenty of craic so don't miss out this time around.

It is now a legal requirement to be certified when working with youth teams and players under the age of 18. This course ensures you are!

Times...

Friday 21st Jan 7pm to 10pm Tutor Child Protection Richard Ferris,

Saturday 22nd Jan 9.30am to 4pm Practical modules Tutors Richard Ferris & Paul Simpson.

Both to be held at Roe Valley Leisure Centre

Richard Ferris

Gaelic Games Development Officer

Limavady Borough Council/Derry GAA

07870988138

Roe Valley Christmas Cracker

Derry Coaching and Games celebrated their Roe Valley Christmas Cracker at Roe Valley leisure centre on Wednesday 29th December!

A feast of Gaelic Football is what we aimed for and that is exactly what we got. Their were some great games, tackling, blocking, foot passing, high fielding, team play, vision, players wanting to win, we had it all. An absolutely brilliant day, thank you for everyone who made it happen in particular Limavady GPO Richard Ferris for organising the event, all the players who competed, their coaches for making a huge effort over Christmas and the staff at the leisure centre for opening up.

Finally to the referees a big THANK YOU Eunan, Daryl and Mervin!

Physical Literacy Games for Teachers of Roe Valley

Over 50 Primary school teachers across the Roe Valley enjoyed an inservice Physical Literacy Games programme presented by Richard Ferris & Clare Leahy at Roe Valley Leisure Centre. For 2 hours they were given tuition in the introduction of game, associated skills and care and development of abilities for their pupils. Not only was the activity enjoyment emphasised but also highlighted the need to be aware of possible physiotherapy precautions.Thanks to Paul Simpson and Roisin Ferris for helping out, and to all the teachers for coming along and taken full part.

North Derry Primary School Indoor Football

On Tuesday 19^th October approximately 220 children took part in a Key Stage 2 Gaelic Football blitz organised by Limavady Games Promotion Officer Richard Ferris. The blitz was split between Roe Valley Leisure Centre where 20 teams took part in a total of 64 games and Dungiven Sports Pavilion which had 8 teams competing in 28 games. The event was a huge success with all the children really enjoying a day of football in a fun environment.
Many thanks to the students from St Mary’s Limavady and St. Patrick’s Dungiven who referred the games very well, namely Declan Louge, Conor Mc Closkey, Oran Fleming, Luke Kelly and Sean Hasson and finally to Limavady Borough Council for the use of their excellent indoor facilities.

Gaelic Games Summer Camps in Limavady Borough Council Area

Thank You to everyone who attended the launch of the Limavady Borough Council Summer Camps, a special word to the mayor Michael Caton and Bernie Mullan, your attendance was very much appreciated!

North Derry Primary School Boys Football and Camogie League

On Thursday 14th June Derry GAA organised their North Derry Primary School League blitz for Boys football and Camogie. 20 teams took part in the day of games at Owenbeg.

The 9 aside football was won by St. Canice's Dungiven, 7 aside football went to St. John's Dernaflaw and the 5 aside to Ballykelly P.S.

The 7 aside Camogie was won by St. Canice's Feeny and St. Mary's Gortnaghey won the 5 aside. Well done to everyone that took part

On Thursday 14th June Derry GAA organised their North Derry Primary School League blitz for Boys football and Camogie. 20 teams took part in the day of games at Owenbeg.

The 9 aside football was won by St. Canice's Dungiven, 7 aside football went to St. John's Dernaflaw and the 5 aside to Ballykelly P.S.

The 7 aside Camogie was won by St. Canice's Feeny and St. Mary's Gortnaghey won the 5 aside. Well done to everyone that took part

After School Football in Termoncanice P.S.

On Tuesdays after school's Gaelic Football at Termoncanice PS is in full flow with Richard Ferris.

Cross Community Hurling

Today, Wednesday 28^th April, the Ulster Council hosted its annual cross community hurling competition at the Mid Ulster Sports Arena in Cookstown. Teams were made of an amalgamation of year 11 pupils from maintained and controlled Secondary schools in Urban areas. 8 teams in total took part in the competition, 2 of which were from County Derry. The teams came from the Derry city and the Limavady areas respectively. Well done to all the lads who took part, many of whom were playing hurling competitively for the very first time.

Indoor Under 12 Football @ RVLC

On Sunday at Roe Valley Recreation Centre Limavady a Club Go Games U12 indoor Gaelic Football Blitz took place coordinated by Richard Ferris, GPO for the area.

This event proved to be very popular with the clubs from the borough that participated clubs being; Drum, Drumsurn, Limavady, Foreglen, Faughanvale and Magilligan. 15 teams enjoyed the day’s football immensely,with 56 games taking place across the three halls. Obviously a day such as this doesn't happen without the help of the the coaches and a special thanks to Ollie Mullan for opening up RVLC and helping with the smooth running. Thanks to Eoghan Kelly, Michael Mc Gonigle, Cahair Friel who refereed the games. Finally a big thank you to all the players who took part. Some of the skill levels on show was exceptional.

Next event will be a coaching morning followed by a outdoor blitz U8/U10 in Limavady GAC date TBC

CPD Course: Circuit Training for Success

On Wednesday 3rd February Richard Ferris rolled out the final Coach Education course around Circuit Training for Success (seniors) at Roe Valley Leisure Centre, Limavady. It was a slightly disappointing turn out of coaches but the night was first class, great variety. This indoor practical course was aimed at coaches who are looking at the possibility of introducing circuit training. An excellent way to improve mobility, strength and stamina. The circuit training format utilizes a group of strength exercises that are completed one exercise after another with various ranges of equipment to perform the exercises using proper technique.
Thanks to the coaches that came along and to the players for participating.