Schools

Welcome to our Schools Zone! We have lots of useful info & offers here to get your School started playing… 

Handball is a fast paced, highly skilled, hugely entertaining, and fully inclusive sport.

Handball is the ultimate game for both fun and recreation! The physical benefits of the game is endless, and it is a great, enjoyable activity for all ages. Using both sides of the body constantly, a vast array of skills are developed that are transferrable across other activities. With the demand increasing yearly, there are also more and more opportunities arising for competitions, both for schools, and extra curricular through GAA Handball. 

Playing is easy…..a ball and any wall can get you up and running! A purpose built wall is not essential if you already have an existing flat space suitable. 

There are various strands of GAA Handball for Schools.

1. Nursery     

The Nursery Programme aims to develop essential Fundamental Movements which are the building blocks for future skill development in our games. It's all about fun, being involved in exciting activities and developing children's movement and motor skills and to introduce children aged 4-6. 

GAA Handball are delighted to be a part of the GAA Nursery programme as the this may be  the child’s first introduction to sport and exercise, and they get to experience Gaelic Games, including GAA Handball activities.  

For more information and resources, head to GAA.ie - https://learning.gaa.ie/NurseryProgramme  

2. Future Leaders  

The Future Leaders Transition Year Programme is a joint initiative from the GAA and Oide, the support service for teachers and school leaders. It is an inclusive cross-curricular leadership programme comprising of a series of modules designed to encourage maturity, initiative, responsibility and leadership skills in students. The Programme gives students the knowledge and skills to support all roles required in the effective staging of Future Leaders Events. As part of the Programme the students are challenged to organise and run both on-field and off-field events in their schools, clubs and communities.  

GAA Handball are looking forward to the continued collaboration with the GAA to increase young volunteers across a number of areas (e.g coaching, refereeing, sports journalism.), particularly the number of handball coaches to provide more juvenile and adult members the opportunity to get involved in our sport.  

For more information and resources, head to GAA.ie - https://learning.gaa.ie/FutureLeaders  

3. Schools Wallball Initiative 

The School Wallball Initiative is our recreational programme, ideal for any school willing to start playing. All that is needed is a ball and a wall. Suitable for Primary and Secondary. It has seen an explosion of growth nationwide, and pleasingly, in many areas not traditionally associated with Handball. 

Gaelic Time

Gaelic Time lessons are designed to provide children with a positive image of GAA through many opportunities to have fun, engage with others and experience success.

Competitions/Events 

Cumann na mBunscol 

Each year there are County and Provincial CnaB series' in the 4-Wall & Wallball code of Handball. This is for age groups U11 & U13, Boys & Girls, with Singles & Doubles grades provided. Schools are advised to contact either the County Handball Secretary or the County Schools CnaB Rep for more info. 

Winners of each Provincial event proceed to participate in the National Cumann na mBunscoil Day, hosted by GAA Handball in February/March each year. 

2nd Level

County and/or provincial boards may run events for 2^nd level students. Schools are advised to contact the County Handball Secretary for more info. 

• Singles & Doubles Grades - 1st Years , Junior (U15), Intermediate (U17), Senior (U19). 

Wallball Schools  

Due to the huge and continuous rise in popularity on schools starting to play handball via the Wallball Initiative, there may be local/county/provincial events to get involved in. Schools are encouraged to host invitational tournaments to local schools to provide a competitive outlet for their students, for beginners and/or competitive players.  Find out how to develop facilities here.

3rd Level  

3rd Level Handball in Ireland is run by the Irish Collegiate Handball Association (ICHA), who cater for a wide range of playing abilities and codes. Find out more about the ICHA via secretary.ICHA.handball@gaa.ie or social media channels @ICHA3rdLevelHandball.