Vhi GAA Cúl Camps Host Ambassador Launch

Vhi GAA Cúl Camps Host Ambassador Launch

50 Ambassadors to Coach Vhi GAA Cúl Camps this Summer

Tuesday, 23rd June 09: Young GAA fans had the opportunity to meet with some of their heroes today in Croke Park at the Ambassador launch of the Vhi GAA Cúl Camps. Fifty GAA senior county players will be visiting 927 camps this summer, including Anthony Daly current Dublin Hurling Manager and former captain of Clare senior inter-county hurling team, and Colm O’Rourke former inter-county Gaelic footballer for Meath.

The ambassadors will visit the Vhi GAA Cúl Camps throughout the country during the summer, giving tips to children on how to improve their game and will also train the lucky children selected to take part in the Vhi GAA Cúl Day Out in September. The Vhi GAA Cúl Camps are the only summer camp to offer children the chance to win one of 240 places to train and play with GAA greats in Croke Park on September 28, 2009.

Declan Moran, Director of Marketing and Business Development, Vhi Healthcare commented; ” This year we are delighted to offer participants an opportunity to realise their dreams with the Vhi GAA Cúl Day Out which will see 240 lucky children train with their heroes, get a tour of Croke Park and play games in the world-famous stadium. Vhi Healthcare is committed to the nationwide promotion of healthy living at community level, ensuring that our children live healthy and active lives.“

Jimmy O’Dwyer, Vhi GAA Cúl Camps National Co-ordinator explains: “The camps provide participants – between the ages of 7 and 13 – with an action-packed and fun-filled week of activity during the summer holidays which revolves around maximising enjoyment and sustaining participant involvement in Gaelic Games. Activities are game-based – a strong emphasis is placed on skill acquisition – and are organised in an age appropriate manner with a view to optimising learning, enhancing friendships, improving physical & psychological well being and promoting school and club links”

Now in its fourth year, the Vhi GAA Cúl Camps is a nationally co-ordinated programme that encourages primary school children between the ages of 7 and 13, not only to learn and develop sporting skills irrespective of ability but also to develop a keen sense of fair-play and personal achievement by participating in Gaelic Games, in a fun, non-competitive environment.

For more information on the camps, or to book a place on-line, log onto www.vhiculcamps.gaa.ie

Vhi GAA Cúl Camps By Numbers:

– 4th Year of Vhi GAA Cúl Camps

– 83,000 children attended last year’s camps

– 927 camps in 4 different countries (Ireland, USA, England & Scotland)

– 8 camps in USA

– 4,500 coaches

– 10,000 matches will be played

– 10,000 bookings on-line this year to date, through new on-line booking facility

– 4 sports played: hurling/camogie, football/ladies football, handball, rounders.

– 7 – 13 years of age

Names of Ambassadors By County:

Among those attending, are:

– Anthony Daly, Dublin Hurling Manager

– Damien Healy, Westmeath Footballer

– Conor Mortimer – Mayo Footballer

– Ross McConnell, Dublin Footballer

– Richie Hogan, Kilkenny Hurler

– Ronan Flanagan, Cavan Football Captain

– Brian Carroll, Offaly Hurler

– David O’Callaghan, Dublin Hurler

– Angela Walsh, Cork Ladies Footballer

– Paul Brady, Cavan Handballer & World Champion