Underage Coaching at Glack GAC

Richard Ferris Gaelic Games Development Officer for the Limavady area was in Glack GAC on Wednesday evening to take their Under 14/16s for a coaching session. The boys and coaches really enjoyed the session and appreciated the new games / ideas which Richard was able to introduce to them. Although the weather was extremely wet the young players from the Glack club put in a great effort, plenty of talent within this group of young players Richard will be back in June.

Year 8 Super Touch at RVLC

On Friday the 1st April at Roe Valley Recreation Centre Limavady a Super Touch Year 8 indoor Gaelic Football Blitz took place coordinated by Richard Ferris, GPO for the area. This event proved to be very popular with all that participated, 7 teams took part from St Patrick’s Dungiven and St Mary’s Limavady. 40 boys enjoyed the day’s football immensely, with 40 games taking place across the two halls. Finish off with all the boys getting 60mins session in the pool. Obviously a day such as this doesn't happen without the help of the teachers whom helped with the smooth running Mr. Mc Mullan, Mr. Mc Gilligan and six sixth form students from St. Mary's Limavady and St Patrick’s Dungiven refereed the games. Finally a big thank you to all the players who took part from 10am to 2.45pm, it was plain to see how much craic they were having and some of the skill levels on show was exceptional.

Hurling and Camogie on Claudy New 3G Pitch

On Wednesday the 2nd of March the Primary 6/7 pupils of St Canices Feeny and St Marys Altinure participated in a hurling and camogie day at Claudys fabulous new 3G pitch. Aided by the glorious sunshine the pupils took part in various games. A special thanks to all the teaching staff from both schools. To the children who went home very tired but they really enjoyable this event. Thanks also to Richard Ferris and Emmett Stewart for organising the event.

Drumsurn Road to Croker

Drumsurn GAC's Road To Croker programme started back on the 17.11.10. The programme concluded tonight under lights with Antrim running out winners after a tough final with the Dubs. All the players from all teams show great skill and determination throughout. A big well done to all players! There were no trophies or awards on the night,hopefully the big reward would be to be pulled out of the hat for Croker sponsored by Club Derry!

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

Drumsurn Midnight GAA programme Alcohol & Drug awareness workshop

Drumsurn GAC Midnight GAA programme is nearing an end and on Friday night past (18th Feb) an Alcohol & Drug awareness workshop was held in the club hall by professional tutor Martin Connelly. The night drew great interest with 36 young people turning up, all of which are active on the sporting field. The presentation Martin ran through highlighted areas such as:

Alcohol and Exercise

"If you have alcohol 24 hours before exercising you are more likely to develop muscle cramps."

"After exercising the body needs to be rehydrated. It's not helpful to drink alcohol as it will just continue to dehydrate the body further."

What difference can a couple of drinks make?
What may surprise you is the number of ways the proverbial couple of drinks can affect your performance. If you take your sport seriously, and like to do the best you can for yourself or your team, it's worth knowing the facts and what you can do to drink sensibly.
Endurance

The blood sugar your body needs for energy is produced by the liver releasing glucose into the blood stream. Alcohol reduces your body's ability to produce this sugar, so you have less energy and less endurance capacity.

Remember - "if you were drinking the night before, when the time comes to really dig deep, there mightn't be anything there."

It is also important to remember that drinking before or during exercise can lead to injuries. Alcohol in the body can slow down the healing process leading to an increased recovery time from an injury.

Reaction Times

The relaxant properties of alcohol can flow on into your sport even well after you've finished drinking. Alcohol affects the central nervous system and slows down the information processing ability of the brain. This in turn affects your reactions, co-ordination, accuracy and balance - all the things most important for staying on top in any sport.

Roe Valley Sports Department Development Squad (Gaelic Football)

On Saturday 12th February at Drumsurn GAC, The Roe Valley Development Squad had its first Strength and Conditioning session, learning the proper techniques in strength training exercises with an emphasise on core stability. Each player has a weekly programme to follow to help them become fitter and stronger for the incoming year

The squad will have its next coaching session Saturday 5^th March in Faughanvale GAC 10am. This Squad is still open to other players to join. Contact Richard Ferris on richardferrisgpo@yahoo.co.uk

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.

Club Derry Hurling and Football Development squads Strength and Conditionin

Sessions are up and running every Tuesday night in Drumsurn GAC. The numbers are light but the lads that are turning up are going well, learning the proper techniques in strength training exercises with an emphasise on core stability.Each player has a weekly programme to follow to help them become fitter and stronger for the incoming year.Weekly sessions run from 6.30pm to 9pm. Coaches are asked to make an effort so their club players can avail of this opportunity. Contact Richard Ferris for more information.

Roe Valley Gaelic Practice (U'12s)

On Saturday 23rd October the Roe Valley Gaelic Practice (U12) Camp took place in Drumsurn GAC delivered by Richard Ferris, 26 children took part in the poor weather conditions helped out by 5 club coaches. The children were split into 2 groups around the pitch taking part in various skills/games.
Thanks to Drumsurn GAC for use of their ground, to Colm Fenney for opening the pitch, to all the club coaches who helped out and finally to the young players for coming along on a very cold and wet morning,looking forward to seeing you out the next day, end of November at Magilligan GAC.

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.