Over 150 participants from across the province converged at Loughmacrory’s super facilities on Friday for what was the first ever “Ulster GAA She’s Ace Handball Conference” for young girls.
Students from post-primary schools across the province enjoyed a day of learning and playing the sport of handball as experts in a wide range of disciplines imparted knowledge on subjects such as health and wellbeing, sports psychology, nutrition, fitness, speed and agility for handball as well as star ladies players delivering practicals on the sport itself.
The event was organised by Ulster GAA Handball in conjunction with Ulster GAA and fully funded by the Department for Communities.
One of the all time great ladies senior Handballers in Ireland and internationally, Fiona Shannon, was there on the day and delivered practical sessions to the girls as well as providing an inspirational talk on her own story of starting out to becoming the most successful player in the history of the sport.
“When I was growing up there was nothing like this in handball. It would have been quite lonely at times and needed complete focus and commitment in my own game. This She’s Ace Initiative in Loughmacrory is brilliant. It is amazing to see over 150 girls from across the province here today loving handball, wanting to learn and play the game, wanting to get better.” commented Fiona.
“It is a great credit to the organisers and the facilities in Loughmacrory are fantastic. I know that for many years ladies handball may well have been pushed to the side, but so much changed a number of years ago and that attitude towards it. You seen it to amazing effect back at the 2012 Worlds in Dublin and now again here today at this Ulster GAA Initiative.”
“The sport is going from strength to strength and in Ulster you have the top current senior players like Aisling (Reilly) and Lorraine (Havern) but you have rising stars like Megan McCann and Mairead Fox as well as a host of others.”
“The knowledge and expertise provided to young girls at this conference in respect of nutrition, health and wellbeing, fitness and agility and coaching on the game itself is certain to help and inspire future stars too.”
This was unequivocally a very successful initiative staged in fabulous weather and in facilities which received terrific reviews from all in attendance at Loughmacrory.
Another major shot in the arm in the promotion and development of GAA Handball in Ulster.
To check out further news, stories and upcoming events on GAA Handball in Ulster go to the official website at: www.ulstergaahandball.com
