Schools in sport lockdown
SPORT plays a huge role in the development of young people, no more so than in the lives of post-primary school students. This week, Tribune reporter Stephen Glennon spoke with teachers from four different second-level colleges – and from different sporting backgrounds – about the impact the pandemic and a succession of lockdowns is having on their students.
Raphael’s College coach Francis Forde believes that the pandemic is having a huge impact on young people – not just in terms of their education but also in their social and sporting development.
After many years in the doldrums of post-primary schools hurling, St. Raphael’s has risen in recent years to claim an All-Ireland ‘B’ hurling title in 2019 and a Connacht Colleges ‘A’ crown last year – the latter just before the pandemic hit.
Along with Connacht finalists, Pres. Athenry, they were strong contenders for All-Ireland honours. While Forde agrees it was disappointing to have that campaign cut short, he says a bigger issue is the impact the pandemic is having on students in “a crucial development phase”.
Although he alludes to other extra-curricular activities – such as school plays – he notes that in hurling terms, with the minor grade moving from U18 to U17, schools hurling (U19) has now a bigger role to play in a young GAA player’s progression.
“It is a really important stepping stone for them and it is a bridge between the strong club level and inter-county, particularly when you are talking about the ‘A’ competitions. So, from a player development point of view, it is a huge loss.
“Obviously, within the school, and within all schools, we are disappointed because sport is a big part of our year, lending itself to the kind of school spirit that you want to develop. That very often develops around the extra-curricular activities.”
One example he cites of portraying this school spirit was when they faced Pres. Athenry in the Connacht PPS ‘A’ hurling final in Bekan, Mayo, early last year. “Where I would put it (value of sport) is way above what the individual student gets out of being successful on a schools team. I would put it way above that.
“An example would be when we went down to play Pres. Athenry in the Connacht final last year on the most horrendous Friday afternoon in February. It was during mid-term break and there was no supporters bus or anything like that.
For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.
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