weren’t necessarily skills related but helped built morale and interaction.
WHAT WAS THE INITIAL RESPONSE FROM
THE STUDENTS AT
THE COLLEGE?
There was over thirty Chinese students present, 4
girls, and when we showed
them a clip of a recent match
from home they couldn’t believe this was what they had
got themselves into! There
was a lot of “ooohs” and
“aaahs” when we showed
them the footage but as soon
as the presentation was over
Photo courtesy of Colm Walsh.
the students grabbed the
O’Neill’s, the bibs, the cones, and made a bee line for pitch.
They couldn’t wait to get started!
DID THE STUDENTS HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT
GAELIC FOOTBALL WAS OR THE GAA?
Only two of them had an idea because they had been to
Ireland before and one of them had been to Croke Park! But
none of the others did and that has been the same way with
all the other new people who signed up during our two semesters in 2015.
WHEN WAS THE FIRST TRAINING SESSION
AND WHAT WAS THAT LIKE?
It was brilliant. We couldn’t believe the reaction. There was a
total innocence about the whole thing. People were laughing
at the beginning trying to solo the ball and throwing the ball
22
instead of hand passing. Also what we didn’t realise coming
into it was that very few of these students knew each other’s
names, so not only were they learning a new sport, they were
meeting new people and we made sure everyone knew each
other’s name. But they loved playing the mini games so that
they could use the skills they had learned. At the end of every
session we asked the students; Did you have a good time? Did
you learn something new and will you come again?? Each
answer would be given a resounding “Yes!”.
WHAT WERE THE MAIN COMMENTS FROM
THE STUDENTS AFTERWARDS?
They couldn’t believe how much fun it was. It’s one thing that
struck both Steve and myself. The students were having so much
fun. 18 and 19 year old’s who had only just heard of the game two
hours earlier were now soloing up and down the field. The air
was filled with laughter and gentle competitiveness.