Games for All approach working well for Ulster GAA

By Cian O’Connell

Garrett Coyle has spent a lifetime delivering physical education lessons, preparing teams at every level, and acting as a tutor for emerging coaches.

So, Coyle has an appreciation for sport and seeing things from a different perspective. In recent years, Chairperson of Ulster GAA’s Coaching & Games committee, Coyle has watched the Games For All approach in the province flourish. “With that lens, the primary one is actually being a father of an autistic kid, that has really shaped my vision on all of this,” Coyle responds.

At the start of this month Ulster GAA Games For All brought nearly 500 players to Croke Park. It simply illustrated the value and power of sport with a video capturing a gorgeous day out at GAA headquarters. “When I showed him the video, you'd have to see the reaction,” Coyle adds. “He was 10 foot tall, he said 'Daddy, I'm on social media, I'm famous'.

“We met Jarlath Burns on one of the days, he was very good talking to him. He asked him what he enjoyed most about the activity day, he just said, 'I had fun'.” Ultimately, that is what it is all about.

Being part of a club, a community matters so much. Coyle has helped plenty of emerging footballers in Monaghan throughout the decades, but the importance of sport is underlined in the Games For All initiative. “Last year we did it and in January we went up to Croke Park for the All-Ireland club finals, we were going in through the front door, the first thing he said was 'Daddy, I played here last year',” Coyle recalls.

“In terms of parents, grandparents, siblings, Oisín has an 11 year-old sister, Aoife, who is super towards him.

“To see the reaction and emotion of parents in the stand, seeing their son or daughter play our national games or do activities in our national stadium. I do get a bit emotional about it, but it is magical.”

Shane McCann and Paul Callaghan continue to spearhead fantastic work in the province in this space which offers significant encouragement. The upcoming September 7 Festival at Creggan Kickhams in Antrim is another vital date in the calendar. “In fairness to Ciarán McLaughlin, President of Ulster GAA, he has made this a key initiative during his tenure,” Coyle explains.

“I know all the other provincial presidents and chairs, they are fantastic men. To see Ciarán togged out, doing coaching with these kids in Croke Park, it shows leadership.

“Ciarán as Uachtarán Comhaire Uladh, there has been great collaboration with Shane and Paul, who are on the full-time staff in Ulster GAA, who lead this up. Then, myself, I'm the chair of coaching and games in Ulster, and Games For All comes under that.

“Also, Bronagh Lennon, who is involved with the leadership and planning committee. We established an Ulster Games For All committee with volunteers and it has been a great driving force.”

That so many children are participating in the Games For All reflects the energy and time being invested. “Last year we had 200 kids, it was brilliant, this year when we looked for an expression of interest we had 420 kids,” Coyle says.

“It has grown from 18 clubs to 45 clubs. This is where we'd have to thank Peter McKenna and Croke Park stadium, they gave us another hour slot to accommodate everyone. The last thing we want to do is to turn people down.

“They travel from Donegal, Belfast, and everywhere in between, to go to Croke Park for the day. It is a magical day, with lifetime memories created.”

Ensuring further occasions are held is part of the brief. So, in early September several hundred people will gather in Antrim. “The Ulster Games For All Day, last year we had it in Donaghmore, this year, the Creggan club are celebrating their 100 year anniversary,” Coyle says.

“They do a lot of promotion and volunteered to run this year's event. Once again, we are blown away with the interest, we've more than 350 kids registered. We have 160 volunteer coaches registered, to help on the day. It will be from 12 until two, but there will be loads of opportunities.

“You'll have games organised, drills organised in both hurling and football. We will have parachute games and sensory activities that will allow kids with different needs to just be involved.

“We have a sensory bus booked and different sensory activities organised. If our tag line is 'Where We All Belong' this in essence is bringing that alive. Hundreds of kids like Oisín, they can actually feel part of the GAA.”

Opportunities are being provided to younger Games For All players. That is critical according to Coyle, who sees developments taking place across Ulster. “Anne Fortune, all she is doing in Cavan, they invited me over to their day, they had more than 30 kids in Killygarry, to see people wearing their club or county colours, we all want to feel part of something bigger than ourselves,” he adds.

“I say this in school, even the first years coming in, you're part of St MaCartan's College now, you're part of our community. With the Games For All, Oisín can go down to the local club here for a six week block at a time. He can train away, he can wear the club or school jersey.

“I'm on the Ulster Schools Committee and we have a commitment that they will run an event for schools in Ulster in GAA. We will hire out an indoor facility around Halloween time, and we will run an Ulster Schools day. That will be another step.”

Every single one counts. That’s why Coyle is eager to highlight the drive and desire shown by people elsewhere in the country. “These things don't happen overnight, a lot of planning and preparation goes in behind the scenes,” Coyle says.

“Shane and Paul, they lead the wheelchair hurling too. Guys like Denis O'Boyle, they've been pioneers in this whole area. If Denis, and others like him, hadn't done work in this area, we'd be back at square one trying to get things off the ground.

“So, it is building on the previous work of others. Ger McTavish, the work she has done promoting this has been really powerful, too.”

Highlighting the work and increasing awareness of what is happening is key. “You've clubs and parents out there, who don't know what the GAA is doing in this area,” Coyle remarks.

“It is only through the promotion, doing videos, that people realise if there isn't something going on in their club, they might go down and ask how can they get involved?”

A long term approach needs to be adopted. “We go down to Truagh Gaels here in Monaghan, we only had five or six kids to start off with,” Coyle explains.

“The mantra is through small acorn seeds big oak trees grow. Our even the Kevin Costner line 'build it and they will come'.

“As a parent with a kid with additional needs, you're always looking to see what you can do. He has been going swimming and gymnastics, there wasn't GAA, but now for the last couple of years that has been offered. It is a great outlet.”

Coyle is optimistic about the future. Games and activities are being offered, there is a growing connection between families and clubs. “All these kids, they watch the games, they have heroes, now we are providing them with an opportunity to play with their peers,” Coyle says.

“I can't emphasise enough it is such a magical feeling as a parent that they are involved and active. We pride ourselves on being the largest community based organisation in the country. I'd like to think we are the market leaders for the provision of activities for kids with additional needs.

“We work with different organisations like Special Olympics, it is great that we are the leading NGB in this area and long may it continue.”