Seven of Ulster’s finest young Handballers this week graduated from the 2015 3fivetwo Group Ulster GAA Player Academy, joining over 110 other Gaelic Footballers, Hurlers & Wheelchair Hurlers at the camp in the University of Ulster Jordanstown.
The players are the first Handballers to be represented at the annual elite camp run by Ulster GAA, and benefitted greatly from being selected to participate in the prestigious Player Academy. Having participated at the One-Wall Nationals weekend in Castlebar, the young players showed their strong desire to improve as players as they were back in training for the upcoming World Championships at the Player Academy just two days later.
During the two-day Academy the players received coaching from two of the games most gifted senior players, Ricky McCann & current World Ladies Champion Aisling Reilly, as well as sessions on nutrition, health & wellbeing and injury & recovery from Ulster GAA staff. Ulster GAA President Martin McAviney took time out from his busy schedule to attend the Academy and to meet the players, he said,
“When I look at the 120 young players kitted out in the Amber and Black jersey I am filled with hope and enthusiasm for Gaelic Games in Ulster. In a few years times, these players will be pulling on their county jerseys and playing Gaelic at the highest level. The 2015 3fivetwo Group Ulster GAA Player Academy aims to prepare young players for the hard work and commitment it takes to be the best in Ulster."
“The Player Academy is in its 13th year and we are delighted to have the support of the 3fivetwo Group who are our main sponsors. We are also delighted to welcome handballers and wheelchair hurlers to the Academy for the first time ever.”
"It is proud day for Ulster today as 120 young players across all GAA codes graduate from the 2015 3fivetwo Group Ulster GAA Player Academy.”
Mark Regan Development Director of 3fivetwo Group also attended the Academy today to meet the players, he said,
“The 3fivetwo Group Ulster GAA Player Academy is a fantastic initiative inspiring young promising players of the future. The key messages from the Academy on player health and welfare, skills development, injury and recovery and commitment and sporting mentality are very strong messages to inspire young players. I hope that many of those who have graduated from the Academy today will go ahead and pave an exciting career in Gaelic Games. These players are certainly ones to watch in the future."
“We at 3fivetwo Group are proud to sponsor such an important development initiative for young players.”
