GAA Junior Academy

JUNIORS UPDATE After the world going to the wall we were delighted and relieved to finally be able to kick start the 9th (!) season of the Gaelic Games Junior Academy of WA. A couple of months late, but we had the best start numbers-wise than we’ve ever had! The registration is free this year as we know many are doing it tough, plus our season will be shortened in 2020 - like every other sport! Our position in WA makes us very lucky to be the most isolated city in the world and as long as we try to keep up our social distancing then our lives are returning to the new normal. We encourage parents to continue to maintain their space, thankfully we operate outside and have heaps of room for everyone to spread out. With the easing of restrictions we can operate at our full capacity so no one gets left out, we are very happy not to have to turn anyone away! We were worried with the such a fantastic turnout that we might! The equipment had all been thoroughly cleaned and now tagged with the registered children’s names on them so whilst we do provide equipment we are endeavoring not to share equipment this year. So each helmet and hurley has a label and this remains there for that child to use. Of course if they have their own personal equipment, all the better! As although the risks are small we are trying to eliminate cross contamination as much as reasonably possible. Lucky for us one of our coaches is a doctor who is up to date with all the best practices and this helps us operate in the safest manner all round. Saying that, we do need to be pedantic with the sign in as per City of Joondalup guidelines, so on the remote chance we need to engage in contact tracing, then we will know who we have had at each session. Speaking of coaches; we are delighted to welcome Janette Mc Donald this year who brings a wealth of talent, experience and knowledge so she’ll fit in well with our regular top shelf coaches!

We are very lucky to have you! So come along and say hello to Tony and Glenn, Gerry, Derek and Eric, Brendan and Ciarán, Ollie, and Dr. David! As always huge thanks to the committee for plugging away in the background, to the Irish Scene for always showing your support, and to the parents for getting the kids ready and ferrying them to and fro and most of all the great little hurlers and footballers coming along and training hard and trying your best with a lovely smile on your face to make it all so worthwhile! See ya Sunday!