Hurling Twinning Programme Expanded for 2009

[youbetterbelieveit]

Halifax GPA Hurling Twinning Programme Expanded for 2009
10 February 2009


Halifax GPA Hurling Twinning Programme Expanded for 2009 Details announced for the coming year Halifax and The Gaelic Players Association (GPA) have announced plans to expand the Halifax GPA Hurling Twinning programme for 2009 by increasing squad visits for the second year of the scheme.  The 2009 Programme kicked off two weeks ago when Galway hurlers David Forde and David Collins paid their first visit to the hurlers of South Down (Non Ards).



The Twinning Programme, aimed at promoting hurling and fostering ambition in the non-traditional counties, will see counties >from the Lory Meagher and Nicky Rackard Cups paired with their counterparts at McCarthy Cup level for the forthcoming season.

Under the scheme, players and/or coaches from the top hurling counties travel to the "twinned" county to oversee a coaching session where advice, experience, tactics, training and coaching guidance are provided. The event is also publicised in the local media to help promote the game in the region.

Uptake for the inaugural year in 2008 exceeded expectations with eight squad visits taking place including high profile trips by hurlers from Kilkenny, Cork, Tipp, Waterford, Clare, Offaly Antrim and Wexford. This year, it is expected that two visits per squad will take place to further increase the benefits brought by the programme.

While the Rackard and Meagher panels will benefit directly from this link, it is hoped once again that, where possible, local coaches, schools and development squads in the region could also be included during the visits. Leveraging the talent and profile of the top hurling sides is seen as a very effective way to promote the game in the non-traditional hurling counties. The local media will be kept informed about all visits and developments.

Commenting on plans for the second year of the Twinning arrangements, GPA chief Dessie Farrell said: "The GPA was delighted with the response from hurlers to the programme last year, particularly so from the McCarthy squads who were more than willing to support the scheme. I know that top hurlers have been travelling voluntarily to the non-traditional counties for years - that we are trying to do is encourage more of that on a formal basis. There is a great sense of loyalty among the hurling community and thanks to the support of Halifax, we can help to promote the game locally and encourage more interaction between hurlers."

Halifax have an ongoing commitment to developing Gaelic Games and its players at all levels through partnerships with the GPA and through Dermot McArdle's GaelicPerformance camps as well as supporting clubs through several other local initiatives such as the Halifax Club Fair Play Award.  Speaking at the announcement of the 2009 programme, Karl Manning, Director of Retail Sales at Halifax said, "The Hurling Twinning Programme is an extremely worthwhile initiative which Halifax is once again proud to be involved with. Credit is due to the GPA for overseeing the launch and growth of this scheme and also to the players who devoted their own free time last year and have committed to doing so again over the coming months.

"The passion of the players at all levels is the key to the success of the Hurling Twinning Programme and this will help fuel the sport amongst non-traditional counties.  We have already seen that this programme works and if we can sustain this progress there will be a real and lasting impact on hurling at all levels."

The scheme is part of the GPA's on-going commitment to develop the game and is being organised on the ground by the GPA. Last year's draw paired the following 24 counties together for an initial two-year cycle. 

Monaghan & Tipperary
Cavan & Waterford
Louth & Clare
Tyrone & Limerick
Donegal & Kilkenny
Non Ards (Down) & Galway
Fermanagh & Cork
Fingal & Laois
Sligo & Offaly
Leitrim & Antrim
Longford & Wexford
Warwickshire & Dublin

[AZOffaly]

I hope Offaly can continue to inspire Sligo

[heineken_on_tap]

Fermanagh got done there

[neilthemac]

this scheme hasn't been expanded!!!

its been reduced!! cause a lot more counties were in it last year

[cornafean]

Hopefully in the current economic climate, the GPA and Halifax will have more wit this time around than to publicise cross-country helicopter trips  "as a very effective way to promote the game in the non-traditional hurling counties" 

[Bud Wiser]

It is funny, or not, but back when Charlie Carter was captain of the Cat's one day and gone from the panel the next day, about four years or five years ago Bud here suggested, on the old board, a "twinning" of counties by using experienced players to bring on hurling in other counties, at the time suggesting that Charlie should go into Carlow or somewhere and that other counties should do the same.  Is our GAA board the best gaa board or what?