Cooney pledges support to handball association

GAA President Christy Cooney has stated today that he will assist the Handball Association in organising a Handball Week later this year, which he hopes will strengthen the membership of the Handball Association.

"As part of our commitment to widen our net by introducing as many members as possible to all of our codes, we will assist GAA Handball in the organisation of Handball Week later in the year to bring as many of our existing members and footballers, hurlers and camógs into contact with the game," he told GAA Congress delegates this afternoon.

"If some of our players chose to dabble in other sporting or leisurely activity during their close season, why shouldn't it be handball?

"This is a further example of our efforts to provide our members with as many options and facilities under the wider GAA umbrella."

Cooney also gave the GAA's financial support and backing to a new Handball Centre at Croke Park, which received preliminary queries with its planning application earlier this week.

"I stood here 12 months ago and said that we would not be found wanting in the area of investment if and where it was needed, even in the current challenging circumstances and that is a view I retain.

"One example of our commitment to push ahead with an upgrade of our facilities is our planned redevelopment of the National Handball Centre to be ready to host the 2012 World Championships.

"We are currently in talks with the residents over our plans and this badly needed redevelopment is part of our long terms plans for handball."

He added: "I recently attended Handball's Congress and asked for all property to be vested in the Association and be managed accordingly - in keeping with directives that govern all of our facilities and property.

"Strong clubs mean a strong Cumann Lúthchleas Gael and this new approach of the 'total' or 'self-sufficient' club is one that will feature high on our agenda for the remainder of my presidential tenure."