A SPORTING inclusion programme in Newmarket-on-Fergus is going from strength to strength.
Established in September 2022, the Blue Stars programme run by volunteers from Newmarket-on-Fergus GAA club has made a stirring impact on the community through its focus on fun, skill acquisition and inclusion.
Bi-weekly training sessions are held for primary school children with additional needs in the Blue Stars programme. Each session focuses on developing core ball-handling skills, building confidence, and most importantly having fun.
Ciara Deans, Aoife Crimmins and Esther McMahon are responsible for running the initiative which offers children who may not typically be able to participate in mainstream team sports an opportunity to enjoy Gaelic Games in a tailored, safe, and supportive environment.
Typically welcoming between six to eight children per session, the Blue Stars creates a space where every child is given the attention and encouragement they need. The programme is entirely child-centred, with safety and enjoyment at its core. All coaches involved are Garda vetted, hold up-to-date coaching qualifications, and have completed child protection and additional training to ensure best practices are followed.
On Wednesday last, the most recent block of the Blue Stars programme concluded. It was a high-energy session that saw the group take over the club’s AstroTurf and hurling pitch at Fr Murphy Memorial Park for an action-packed obstacle course. Children tackled haybales, leapt through hoops, and raced through stations.
To top off the day, Evan Crimmins and Dara McInerney who were part of the Clare minor hurling panel to contest the All-Ireland final presented the Blue Stars with medals to mark their completion of the latest block. The duo were unable to escape safe as they came out the wrong side of a water balloon fight.
Speaking to The Clare Echo, organiser Aoife Crimmins explained, “This initiative is a testament to the broader vision of the Newmarket-on-Fergus GAA Club, which has placed community at the heart of its development strategy. As part of a thriving club that boasts nearly 800 members, the Blue Stars programme not only fosters individual growth but also promotes the ethos of inclusion within the GAA family”.
A defender with the club’s senior camogie side, Aoife added, “The success of the Blue Stars is yet another example of how local GAA clubs are evolving to serve all members of their communities. It’s not just about sport, it’s about belonging, support, and celebrating every child’s unique abilities”.
Blue Stars will return for its next block of activities in the autumn following a summer break with new volunteers encouraged to contact Newmarket-on-Fergus GAA club.
All photographs by Joe Buckley
