Having seen a number of primary and secondary schools in the local vicinity erect their own One-Wall courts, and indeed the continued rise in popularity of the game nationwide, Ulster GAA’s Stephen Beattie, Development Officer in St Marys, had the foresight to install two One-Wall courts in the College Sports Hall. These will enable the trainee teachers to develop handball coaching skills, which will be of benefit to them in their future careers.
Despite being under pressure with exams and assignments, twenty student teachers took part in a recent coaching course. The event provided the students with an introduction to the game and an array of coaching ideas for large class numbers, making the game an ideal PE activity.
Stephen Beattie, who organised the course said:
"When we sent out the email about the handball course we got a larger response than expected, especially given that students are in the middle of the exam period. However, it just shows how far the game has come in recent years, and bodes well for the future. We have had to arrange for a second course to be delivered and this will be followed by a foundation handball coaching award. Now that the handball seed has been planted there is a massive interest in further progression."