GAELIC SPORTS WORLD Issue 15 - December 5, 2014 | Page 11

“Currently we have between
20-30 male and female players training with us once a
week on Sundays at a competitive level. This does not
include the development
groups we have training in
the specific target townships,” explains Oguz, who
apart from being on the club
committee, is also a coach.
Her role also includes growing numbers.
“I also have the tedious
job of trying to increase the
numbers of the ladies side
and assist them with their
Gaelic skills.”

South Africa Gaels in Ireland in March of this year. The Irish tour was sponsored by ESB International. (Photo courtesy of ESBI).

IRELAND TOUR
In order to gain an appreciation of Gaelic football, it was decided in 2013 that the club would visit Ireland prior to their participation in this year’s Dubai Games. Six months of planning
and funding activity went into the project and in March of 2014,
the South Africa Gaels, comprised of 15 men and one lady players, as well as team officials, arrived in Ireland for a week-long
tour. The group spent the week visiting and training with clubs.
The final part of the tour saw them visit with clubs in Northern
Ireland. There they took part in tour of Belfast taking in wall
murals, one of former South Africa President, Nelson Mandela.
The Ulster GAA organized a coaching session for the visitors at
St. Mary’s University, Belfast. A physical literacy workshop was
conducted there by Dr Eugene Young of Ulster GAA at the college. The group also participated in a Cuchullains project training sessions by Ciaran Mc Graw at Victoria College. During the

week there was also skills session with former Dublin football
great, Brian Mullens and a coaching seminar at Croke Park.
The Gaels also paid a visit to Irish president Higgins at Áras
an Uachtaráin in Dublin.
PRESIDENTIAL BLITZ
The South Africa Gaels Gaelic footballers put on a great
show of Gaelic football for visiting Irish President, Michael
Higgins on Saturday last at the University of Pretoria, SA. The
SA Gaels blitz day was held to showcase the work it has been
doing in developing Gaelic football in primary school townships in the region.
Paul Carpenter felt that the Irish president’s presence on the
day was positive for the players and their overall appreciation
of Gaelic sports.

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