All Stars training sessions a success story for Athlone GAA

Sessions cater for children with additional needs

Athlone GAA club has been running their second All Stars series for kids with additional needs over recent weeks.

The sessions, which had been running on Saturday mornings and finished up recently, aim to encourage children with autism, or other additional needs, to get involved in their local club.

Talking to the Westmeath Independent about what the sessions involve, Athlone GAA underage coach John O’Brien said: “The training sessions are very varied and there are about 20 kids involved. We’ve set up an environment where there’s many different activities and the kids gravitate towards what they’re most interested in.

“Each child has their own coach – they’re always there to guide them, and support them when they need it. It’s not like a typical football session where you’re doing drills and you have to do certain things.”

The activities at the sessions include bean bags to practise throwing, a parachute with different objects on it which many children can get involved with, and balls for a ‘bowling’ style game.

There are also nets set up for those interested in kicking, and target nets where some children practise throwing, and others practise kicking into the goal.

John and his colleagues at Athlone GAA are proud of how well the series have been received by both the children and their parents.

“We didn’t have to cancel any session – and the kids kept coming back. A lot of the children would have sensory issues with the rain, and we had a little bit on one of the summer sessions, but it’s something we want to work on,” John said.

John and his colleagues have noticed many positive changes with the kids who have taken part in the sessions.

“There are lots of variations. There’s one boy who used to be nervous coming in without his mam, and now he leaves her behind in the car park.

“Lots of the kids are developing their skills, and they’re making friends. The main thing for us is that the children feel comfortable, and they feel safe.”

John said their main aim is to encourage the children to work together. “A lot of the kids are happy to work by themselves. We try to get them to work together,” said the Moate native.

“In the autumn series, we introduced rounders. The coach guides them on how to play the game. It’s been a big success in getting them to work together.”

When asked about the impact that the sessions have had on the children, John said it’s incredibly rewarding to see the small changes in the children.

“It’s great to see the development – at first it can take some time. Every kid is so different – as a coach you do have to understand the child. You have to focus on the child.

“It’s important that the parents aren’t too involved, and the kids get to be independent. The parents are excellent, they do come in when they need to.”

Two series of sessions were run in summer and autumn of this year, and the club hopes to continue by adding another series in 2025.

John said the club want to make sure that the children attending the sessions feel like they are a part of the community.

“A lot of these kids’ activities would revolve around meeting their needs – whether that is physio, occupational therapy or speech and language therapy. What we wanted was for them to feel that they are a part of the Athlone GAA community, and that they’re part of the club.”

Speaking about the support of the club, John said he has been blown away by their encouragement and engagement.

“When I brought this idea to the club, I didn’t know what to expect. Straight away they said ‘yes, that’s a great idea’. To have the backing of the club, that’s a big deal. Darren McGee (Westmeath GAA Games Manager) has set up groups like this before. Having him to bounce ideas off was great and he helped in the planning of it.

“A huge part of it is the coaches. They’ve invested in it. It’s a group of young players who want to be involved in this. They’ve enjoyed it and they’ve gotten a lot out of it.”

Athlone GAA got in contact with other clubs around the country for advice on how to run their additional needs All Stars group, noting that Corofin in Clare and another club in Cork gave them valuable tips and ideas about the sessions.

“All Stars programmes are popping up all over the country. The support from other clubs is amazing,” John added.