GAA Referees and Coaches Clinic Hosted in San Francisco
By JOHN O'FLYNN
VANCOUVER - On April 8 to 10, I attended a referees and coaches clinic presented by representatives from the Munster Council of the Gaelic Athletic Association and hosted by the San Francisco Western Divisional Board of the North American County Board. Kezar Stadium and the United Irish Cultural Centre were the venues for the activities.
Special thanks to the Vancouver Irish Sporting and Social Club for their support in covering the cost of the flight!
Former secretary of the Clare Hurling and County Board, Simon Moroney, who now serves as Secretary of the Munster Council and Malachy Higgins, Chairman of the Western Divisional Board of the NACB, were perfect in the successful presentation of the weekend’s activities.
I want to acknowledge the assistance of San Francisco’s Frankie Keenan (Antrim and first cousin to Frank Campbell in Calgary, Alberta) and John O’Flynn (Cork and San Francisco Youth Officer) who were very gracious to myself and my father Thomas over the weekend.
The referee’s clinic was presented by tutor Kevin Walsh (Clare), Secretary of the Munster Council Referee Committee, who brought information and materials that will be forwarded to the Canadian clubs of the Western Divisional Board of the Canadian County Board.
Kevin’s clinic assisted with preparations for the Inter-continental Youth Championships August 5-7, which will be in San Francisco where I, and the other American participants, will be assisting as referees for this prestigious tournament.
Pat Daly (Head of Games Development in Croke Park) sent over 36 ground hurls designed for children’s indoor play along with 18 modified sliotars which were presented to me by former Kerry senior footballer and hurler Maurice Leahy.
Maurice serves full time as the Games Promotion Officer for the Kerry County Board and acted as tutor for the hurling clinic on the weekend.
These ground hurls will enhance the Gaelic games workshops at the week long Ceili Camp in August 14-20 at Harrison Hot Springs (www.dedannan.ca). These ground hurls will be used by the Vancouver ISSC as it works to develop a youth component and may also be made available to interested teachers who wish to introduce hurling.
Master tutor Tomas Queally (Clare) presented the clinic for football. I had met Tomas last year when he presented in San Francisco and he has coached at inter county minor U 21 and Senior level.
I was pleased to meet once again with Tom and Patricia Hayes (Limerick) who are parents to San Francisco’s Fire Chief Sheila Hayes-White. I want to wish Tom a speedy recovery from recent surgery and hope all will go well for him.
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