Kingscourt HC is renowned for having the best multi court Handball complex in the country, with five 40x20 courts, one 60x30 court & one outdoor One-Wall court.
But the club are not resting on their laurels, and have embarked on a fantastic and hugely admirable development initiative to significantly grow their numbers, and assist in finding the next Paul Brady or Michael Finnegan.
With full, and considerable, expense lying solely with the Handball Club, Kingscourt have built a total of 6 full size outdoor concrete based One-Wall courts in 5 of their local feeder Primary Schools, with an approximate combined attendance of 1000+ pupils.
No Handball presence existed in these five schools until the walls were completed just last week, with the walls also providing a brilliant permanent road side bill board for GAA Handball, who’s logo feature prominently and eye-catching as motorists drive by.
Club Treasurer Brendan Gargan commented that:
“The club is always striving to improve, and with the top class facilities we have here in the club, we wanted to expand and get more of the community in playing Handball.“
“We have a very strong Club Lotto running here, supported of course by the local community on a weekly basis, so we are happy to give something back that the local children can avail of.”
Not settled with building the walls, the club arranged for 16 teachers to attend a Teacher In-service with National Development Officer Darragh Daly at Kingscourt HC last week in the next step in their overall club development plan.
Club Vice-Chair Michael Finnegan, one of the most decorated players in the game, stressed the importance of a strong School-Club Link if the clubs plans were to come to fruition.
“The Schools are all within a few mile radius of the alleys here, and they were of course thrilled with their new walls. But the work doesn’t end here, and we want to form good relationships with all the schools. We have already had some of the schools down here at the alleys a few days availing of our indoor courts.”
“We also have a new Secondary School opening next door in September 2017, so its very exciting times for the future of the club.”
Huge credit must go to the Kingscourt Club for a very ambitious, self funded development! They have really set the bench mark high this time!
If your school would like to get involved with GAA Handball, contact our National Development Officer on darragh.daly.handball@gaa.ie
