LeisureWorld & GAA Partnership
Wednesday 23 September 2009
PRESS RELEASE
New partnership to ensure Sam and Liam retire to Leeside
Cork GAA and LeisureWorld forge the future for underage physical development in Cork County
On September 17th Cork GAA and LeisureWorld launched a critical strategic partnership to ensure that high performance players at underage level in Cork County are identified and provided with a consistent physical conditioning programme which will enhance their performance levels on the field of play. The Cork GAA and the LeisureWorld vision will be that when players go forward to minor and senior level, they will be stronger, faster and more powerful than those who would not be involved in such a programme. The initiative expected to be rolled out in October is developed and supervised by Mark McManus of LeisureWorld on behalf of the Cork GAA.
Mark McManus, Health & Wellness Manager at Leisureworld, is a sport scientist with more than 12 years experience working with amateur and professional high performance players and athletes.
The physical conditioning programme is the culmination of a vision, detailed planning and debate, followed strongly by an unwavering belief in the initiative, led by the Cork Coaching and Games body, Coiste Oiliúna and LeisureWorld.
Over 700 underage players are set to benefit from the physical conditioning programmes which aims to retain young people to play GAA longer, this in turn will build a larger talent pool to enable these young players to advance to the a “high performing training model” at senior level.
The overall schools of excellence and development squads plan will be overseen by the 5 new Games Development Administrators employed by the county board. These include current county players Paudie Kissane (senior football) and also Martin Coleman and Brian Murphy (senior hurling) together with Kevin O’ Donovan and Paudie O’ Brien of Kilmeen and Midleton respectively.
Speaking at the launch, Denis Keohane (Chairman Coiste Oiliúna Chorcaí) outlined that “Cork GAA will make their squads the envy of all other counties which will produce players capable of winning All Ireland titles at adult level in both hurling and football on a consistent basis. In order to achieve this, our players need to train in top facilities with top class knowledge and support and in this regard, we could not ask for better resources and support than those provided here in LeisureWorld. For players involved in the existing GAA Schools of Excellence and development squads this is a welcome boost to Cork Coaching and Games”.
Addressing the attendance was Christine Moloney CEO of LeisureWorld who believes that “There is a wonderful synergy between Cork GAA and LeisureWorld’s mission to care for the Health & Well Being of our community by ensuring participation opportunities to our youth in all our communities ensuring they are given every opportunity to play sports and engage in a structured and professionally organised physical activity.
The Board of LeisureWorld and staff are truly excited and motivated to be engaged with the Cork GAA in a progressive and dynamic time for the good of our culture. We are very proud to be here today and to become a cog in the wheel of the future successes of Cork GAA”.
Also speaking at the launch was Mark MacManus Health and Wellness Manager of LeisureWorld Bishopstown he believes “that players will receive training in areas such as agility, strength, flexibility, speed, aerobic and anaerobic fitness and will have access to the latest physical training methods and facilities and staff at LeisureWorld to help them reach their full potential.
Also in attendance at the launch were the who’s who of Cork GAA past and present including Jimmy Barry Murphy, John Allen and Tomas Mulcahy who fully believe in the initiative between LeisureWorld and the GAA . The excitement for the initiative from the mentors, coaches and players attending the launch was palpable and it was overwhelmingly believed that it is not before time that Cork GAA is leading the way in terms of underage development. All who attended the launch were delighted that Cork’s leading facility is involved in this progressive initiative with Cork GAA.
Further information contact:
Mark MacManus 021 4346505
Kevin O Callaghan, Cork GAA,086-8532375
kevinocallaghan@corkgaagamesdevelopment.ie
