Aileen lawlors tenure as camogie president ends this weekend

Outgoing Camogie Association President, Aileen Lawlor – a club member, outstanding former player and administrator with St Munna’s Camogie Club – has today highlighted the incredible growth in participation in the sport on the eve of the Association’s Annual Congress at Croke Park.

Former Westmeath star Aileen, who took over as president in March 2012, steps down from the role at the 2015 Camogie Congress this weekend, after three years at the helm.

Aileen points out that the number of clubs registered with the Camogie Association has grown by a phenomenal 23 percent over the past 10 years with 10 new clubs established in 2014. She says there are many other strong indicators of growth in participation in the sport.

“There are now over 750 camogie coaches trained at different levels in Ireland and abroad and last year the inaugural Level Two Coaching Course was completed,” the Irishtown resident and Dublin native said.

“Internationally camogie continues to grow with the number of teams taking part in our North American Continental Youth Championships increasing from one in 2010 to 13 last year.”

Another indicator of growth that Aileen is particularly proud of is the number of female inter county referees – a key target she set herself when she took over as president.

“In 2013 we set up a referees’ academy to identify male and female referees and give them a clear pathway to the top echelons,” she remarked.

“With the national referees’ committee offering invaluable guidance, there are now 13 female referees on the national panel as against one in 2012. Indeed, all of the officials at last September’s Junior All-Ireland Final were female. This increase is reflected at club level too.”

Aileen attributes the growth in participation to camogie to the great work at club level and in the schools as well as the much higher profile the sport has achieved over recent years. In this context, she acknowledges the key role played by AIB and Liberty Insurance in sponsoring the camogie championships.

“This was a huge leap forward for our game. The increased PR through all forms of media has been instrumental in getting our name and the camogie brand into the public domain,” said Aileen.

“Increased PR means our players are more recognizable to the public than ever before. Our players deserve that promotion.

“They are just as much the athlete as their hurling counterparts are - putting in just as much time and training as them, juggling family, studies and careers to play camogie. So this increased awareness of them has been revolutionary.”

A nurse by profession and a native of Walkinstown in Dublin, Aileen remains involved with St Munna’s. As a player with the Taughmon/Turin club, she won 18 county titles in 19 seasons. She has also been heavily involved as an administrator with the club as well as at county, provincial and national levels.

Before joining St Munna’s, she won an All-Ireland senior club title with Crumlin in 1985 and also won National League and Leinster championships with Dublin before moving to Westmeath, with whom she also won a provincial title.
Aileen has refereed two All-Ireland finals in Croke Park, and continues to have a very keen interest in looking after these valuable members of the association.

The 2015 Camogie Congress takes place in Croke Park on Friday/Saturday, March 27/28.