ULSTER GAA offers a range of different opportunities for people to experience Gaelic games at further education colleges.

Men’s and ladies’ football – Ulster GAA offer taster session to allow every student the opportunity to play men’s and ladies’ football. We also run 7-a-side blitz competitions that allows all colleges to take part regardless off the size of their student population.

Every college now has the opportunity to participate in league and championship at Ulster and All-Ireland level in appropriate competition to their standard of competitiveness.

Hurling and camogie – Ulster GAA accommodate students with taster sessions in hurling and camogie. We have had 7-a-side blitz competitions run in conjunction with the universities as the number are lower in this sector.

Handball – One wall handball is increasingly becoming very popular. As part of some sports course’s sports students are often required to participate in individual sports. handball is the perfect opportunity which allows the student to participate at a level which suits their ability.

Student coach education – Ulster GAA delivered 15 foundation football/hurling courses this year. This impacted over 250 students. Two award one child football courses were held in Letterkenny and Cavan. We also deliver refereeing courses and a wide range of CPD workshops including concussion awareness, lifestyle management and anti-doping.

Student coach work placement – Students are required to do some work placement to attain experience. Ulster GAA can assist students in finding placement opportunities and mentor the students to a good coaching standard before going on placement. We will continue this if required whilst they are on placement.
Ulster GAA are happy to assist preparing students for the Erasmus project which sends student coaches overseas to work in coaching placements in a variety of organisations.

The Erasmus project provides college students a great opportunity to travel abroad and share cultural experiences in coaching and activities in the many countries across Europe.

GAA academies – Many colleges have availed of the opportunity to host a GAA academy on their campus. This allows the student to study for his/her career and to train and improve their skills whilst in college. Some areas that can be utilised on the academy include screening, fitness testing, technical skill development, analysing individual performances, and health and lifestyle management.

Ulster GAA provide opportunities for students in disability coaching and games, through wheelchair hurling and football. Taster sessions in wheelchair games are becoming popular with students and lecturers allowing both to experience and value the demands of someone who is wheelchair bound.

Opportunities for student Impact on the community include:
• GAA 5 Star Centre.
• Refereeing
• Co-ordinating school blitzes
• Coaching in primary schools
• Coaching in clubs
• Coaching in Cul Camps/multi-sports camps.
• Assisting teams with performance analysis, sports science and GPS tracking data.
Do GAA clubs/counties utilise what F.E. colleges have to offer??

Most F.E. colleges now have modern facilities with sports halls, fitness suites and up to date sports equipment.

These also include sports science laboratories, Vo2 monitoring, functional screening and GPS tracking units and data analysis

There is an abundance of students with knowledge of working with performance analysis.

Sports therapy classes provide the opportunity for students to bring some of their skills in therapy and screening back to clubs.
FE Colleges supported:
• Belfast Metropolitan College
• Stranmillis University College
• North West Regional College, Derry/Limavady
• Northern Regional College, Magherafelt, Coleraine, Ballymena
• South West College, Enniskillen, Omagh, Dungannon
• Southern Regional College, Armagh, Newry, Lurgan
• South East Regional College, Lisburn, Bangor, Downpatrick
• Letterkenny IT
• Cavan IT
• Monaghan IT

If you require any more information on what Ulster GAA can do for your college or institution contact Gary Mallon, Third Level Officer, 07920528787/ gary.mallon.ulster@gaa.ie.
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