GAA academy to help groom future stars

GAA stars of the future will be given the chance to develop their skills with the launch of a major new initiative at Queen’s University, Belfast.

The creation of the new GAA Academy, which is launched tomorrow, follows the success of the university’s Rugby Academy, begun two years ago.

Funds for the academy were raised as the result of a campaign by the Development and Alumni Relations Office and named after legendary player Sean O’Neill.

It will be based at the physical education centre in Botanic Gardens, with a development co-ordinator appointed to run the programme in the next academic year.

Queen’s Vice-Chancellor Sir George Bain said the creation of the academy was a major step towards its goal of becoming the top sporting university in Ireland.

“Queen’s tradition in Gaelic football is a long and proud one and the university GAA club is one of the most vibrant and successful in the higher education sector,” he added.

Dr Robert Gamble, the development manager of Sport and Exercise Services at Queen’s, said the academy would give the university the chance to build on its record of achievement.

“It will offer Gaelic sportsmen and women the opportunity to train with top-class coaches and benefit from a range of specialist advice and support provided through the university’s Sport and Recreation Services staff,” he said.

The initiative was also welcomed by John Devaney, the GAA’s representative on the academy’s development committee.

He said: “The GAA Academy is a unique concept coming at an opportune time. Its strength is in the fact that it is relevant to everyone who has an interest in or competes in Gaelic games.”