Vhi / GAA Cúl Camps Stretch Worldwide in biggest programme yet!

1000 Camps, 5,000 Coaches and 81,000 children to participate in
Vhi/GAA Cúl Camps

April 15th, 2008 – The GAA and Vhi Healthcare today launched the details of the 2008 Vhi/GAA Cúl Camps summer programme in Croke Park in the presence of Nickey Brennan, President, GAA, Dublin Senior Football Manager, Paul Caffrey, John McCaffrey (Dublin hurling), Aidan Fennelly (Laois football), Patricia Fogarty (Laois football) and Mags Darcy (Wexford camogie).

Now in its third year, the Vhi/GAA Cúl Camps is a nationally co-ordinated programme aiming to encourage primary school children between the ages of 7 and 13, to learn and develop sporting and life-skills by participating in Gaelic Games, in a fun, non-competitive environment.

2008 will see the expansion of the Vhi/GAA Cúl Camps to further destinations abroad. A total of 22 camps will be held outside Ireland, with 4 camps being rolled out in Canada, 4 in Europe, 5 in the UK and 9 in North America. Gaelic Park and Rocklands Grounds in New York and the Irish Centre in Canton, Boston, will be among the venues for the US Vhi/GAA Cúl Camps where over 300 children are expected to participate under the direction of 15 coaches.

With 75,000 children participating in the Vhi / GAA Cúl Camps in its inaugural year (2006) the initiative has gone from strength to strength with 80,000 children participating in 2007 in the Vhi / GAA Cúl Camps nation-wide. To keep up with demand, there will be nearly 1,000 camps available in 2008. These camps will organised, facilitated and supported by thousands co-ordinators, coaches and ambassadors. GAA legends such as Paul Caffrey will also be on board to lend support and provide an additional element to these summer camps.

A Vhi/GAA Cúl Camp co-ordinator has been appointed in each of the 32 counties to oversee the running of the camps in each area and also to co-ordinate registration for this popular activity. The individual camps are managed by experienced coaches who have devised a specific programme to ensure the participating children not only learn skills but also to place an emphasis on fun and team-building activity.

Speaking at the launch, GAA President, Nickey Brennan, said, “The Vhi/GAA Cúl Camps are a nationally co-ordinated programme aiming to encourage children to learn and develop sporting and life-skills by participating in Gaelic Games. The GAA are particularly proud of the success the Camps initiative has been over the last number of years and look forward to helping it grow in the years to come.”

Vincent Sheridan, Chief Executive, Vhi Healthcare commented; "Vhi Healthcare is delighted to build on the success of the last two years of the Vhi/GAA Cúl Camps and to bring the GAA camps even further afield in 2008. Vhi Healthcare is committed to the nation-wide promotion of healthy living at community level and we look forward to providing children with the opportunity to attend “the” activity of the summer. This year, we are providing an extensive training pack to each of the 1,000 Clubs that host a Vhi/GAA Cúl Camp. These packs include a number of footballs, slíothars, bibs and training disks which will give great assistance to the coaches at the camps."

Dublin Manager Paul Caffrey commented “The Vhi/GAA Cúl Camps are an ideal way for children to develop their Gaelic Games skills in a structured, yet friendly environment. In the broader scheme of things, it is very important that children have the opportunity to learn new skills and to develop an interest in a healthy activity that will help them grow stronger both physically and mentally. The social aspect of the Vhi/GAA Cúl Camps is very important also and these camps offer a great opportunity for children to make new friends through their interest in Gaelic Games.”

The 2008 Vhi/GAA Cúl Camps are expected to be extremely popular therefore parents are advised to book early to ensure they get a place at the camp of their choice. Application forms are available from GAA clubs nationwide or can be downloaded from www.gaa.ie or www.vhi.ie. Contact details for the individual county co-ordinators and further information regarding the Vhi Cúl Camps can also be accessed online.

ENDS