Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael Seán Ó hÓráin, with, from left, Naomi Ní Chearbhaill, Emma Ní Chinnèide, Dónall Ó Cinnéide, Lís Ní Dhálaigh, Ciara O Donnell, Dónal Ó hAiniféin, former Kerry manager Eamonn Fitzmaurice, Máire Treasa Ní Dhubhghaill agus Lilí Ní Bhrádaigh during the GAA / PDST Future Leaders Leagan Gaeilge launch at Croke Park in Dublin.
By John Harrington
Former Kerry football team manager, Eamonn Fitzmaurice, is a big fan of the GAA/PDST Future Leaders Transition Year Programme.
The cross-curricular programme comprising of eight Modules in subjects as diverse as Coaching, Sports Journalism and Event Management, is designed to provide a learning experience based on the practical application of the skills from each module, by empowering every student to play an active role in the organisation of a Gaelic Games opportunity in their school or community.
Fitzmaurice is principal of Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne in Dingle and so has seen first hand the positive impact the Future Leaders programme has made.
“It's an absolutely brilliant programme altogether,” said Fitzmaurice today at the launch of the Future Leaders leagan Gaeilge in association with TG4 and COGG.
“It's the only bit of class work I got to do this year, I'm doing the coaching module myself but it's fantastic.
“The resources first of all that are provided are brilliant, it makes it very easy for the teachers but all the different modules that are there.
“We'd a game last week now and a gang went with cameras, a gang went to do the stats, for people that mightn't be brilliant at football themselves, they get a chance to advance in other areas. It's outstanding, it really is.
“There have been a few own goals I suppose by the GAA in the recent past but this certainly is a very positive thing and I think sometimes we don't give enough credit, this really is the community organisation at its best and I couldn't praise it highly enough really, it's outstanding.”
Eamonn Fitzmaurice managed the Kerry footballers to the 2014 All-Ireland SFC title.
Volunteerism is the beating heart of the GAA and Fitzmaurice believes those pupils who take part in the Future Leaders programme develop that instinct to help out their GAA club in whatever way they can.
“I think so. Like I said it's very, it provides the students with skills that they can help out their clubs across the board.
“All of the skills feed into being able to organise events and organise stuff for their clubs but the students are going back to their clubs, I suppose traditionally students might have gone back and they'd be able to do a bit of coaching and they'd help out with teams.
“But you can help out with administration, with organising things, clubs nowadays spend a lot of money on getting people to do stats, to do camera work whereas if you've volunteers within your club that can do that work it's great.
“Very positive, the students themselves love doing it and it's modern. The way that PDST and the GAA have presented it, it really is a very modern, advanced course.
“The fact that from our point of view then that all the resources are in Irish now as well is brilliant because we're able to drive on with it as gaeilge which is good as well.”