Schools handball workshops a success

Westmeath GAA Handball news

Friday last saw our tenth and final workshop take place for the 2021/2022 school year. The children of Presentation Junior School, Mullingar, came together for a sporting event arranged by Ms Shaw and displayed some great enthusiasm for handball despite their session ending earlier than expected due to the weather. We’ve heard some great reports back that we won’t be short on handball talent into the future.

We extend are appreciation to the class teachers of all the students we have had this year for their time and efforts. The teachers showed great interest in some of our activities that lend perfectly to developing agility, balance, and co-ordination. GAA Handball is a great sport for developing both sides of the body and brain as both hands are used regularly throughout a game. It is a low-cost sport that keeps you fit, can be played indoor or outdoor and above all, it is fun!

Any school staff looking to avail of handball workshops for their schools should email the Westmeath GAA Handball secretary to organise. Schools may now also submit their expressions of interest for the upcoming teacher training workshop scheduled for October.

All schools who register before September 30 for the 2022/2023 school year will receive a free school resource pack which includes a host of resources such as balls and manuals packed with easy to teach activities.

Applications for student workshops and teacher workshops can be submitted to the Westmeath GAA Handball Secretary, secretary.westmeath.handball@gaa.ie. Don’t wait around as bookings have already commenced for September.

We would also like to express our great thanks to North Midlands Credit Union for their recent contribution to Westmeath GAA Handball through the Social and Cultural Fund. These funds are vital in maintaining our school supports and will provide us with some much needed safety equipment. Many thanks from all in Westmeath GAA Handball.

Many thanks to the Westmeath coaching team who have introduced over 240 students to GAA Handball this school year. It was not any easy task for them with the main Mullingar court still closed but their hard work and persistence has certainly shown.

Féile

Having been closed for two years due to the pandemic, which was then followed by a refurbishment project of the Mullingar courts, our underage handballers have yet to get back into full swing.

Although we had no Féile team at last weekend’s 40x20 Féile, we were well represented with senior handball player, Robbie McCarthy Jnr, showing great support for the event. Robbie was then invited down to judge skills and present medals to the players in Cullohill, Co. Laois.

Robbie was only delighted to be showing his support to the young handball stars and called in to three venues to catch some of the action prior to his judging duties. Always a great sportsman, we thank Robbie for his time and representation.

Championship

The Softball InterClub Championship is due to complete with All-Ireland semi-finals and Finals taking place on Saturday next, June 25. Westmeath Head of Coaching, Robbie McCarthy Snr. will add another stat to his referee’s record as he travels to Fahy’s Cross in Offaly to oversee the All-Ireland Junior Interclub Final.

Robbie is one of the most experienced referees in the Country and known in the handball community for his knowledge but also the fairness in his calls. Wishing Robbie Snr. the very best of luck and again, thanking him for his time.

While Robbie sees off the completion of the Softball Interclub, our Westmeath players will be preparing to commence their Leinster Softball Championship bids. The Leinster Championship is due to kick off on Sunday June 26 with fixtures to be released by Tuesday.

The Westmeath players for this year’s Softball are Robbie Snr, John, Mick and Alan in the Singles events with the doubles events to include Robbie Snr and Liam, Philip and John, and Alan and David.

Congrats to all the players representing Westmeath in the upcoming Championship across the various adult grades. We wish them all the very best of luck and are positive we’ll have some Leinster titles back to Westmeath in the 2022 Softball.

Robbie McCarthy Jnr will be hoping to retain his All-Ireland Senior Softball title this year. Robbie has noted across many interviews, that the Softball is his favourite event of the year. He is a keen advocate for promoting the 60x30 which is your typical Irish Handball.

Unlike the 40x20 and WallBall you will see on the international stage; Softball is unique to Ireland and one of Westmeath’s most successful codes. While the Senior Championship does not commence until the weekend of July 30/31, Robbie hopes to compete in the Softball Nationals ranking event, held on the weekend of July 15/16 in preparation for his 2022 Championship. Wishing Robbie Jnr the very best of luck throughout his Softball Championships and tournaments this year.

Delvin

Westmeath GAA Handball are delighted with the news from Delvin that an agreement has been reached with the County Council for a three-year lease to the Delvin Handball Committee. It is great to see Delvin will be back on the map with previous champions such as Gus O’Shaughnessy and John O’Shaughnessy hailing from the Delvin Handball Club, there is a long history of handball within the Delvin community. Congratulations to Micheál Ó Ceallaigh and the team. Best wishes going forward from all in Westmeath GAA Handball.