Let the Gaelic games begin

GAISCE AWARD:Two students from Omagh are hoping to emulate their county's All-Ireland victory and win their own award

Physical recreation is all about getting active. Participants must pick a sport and do the necessary hours to get their award. You can take up something new but it always helps if you’re already the sporty type.

Students Eoin McGread and Ryan O’Neill, from Christial Brothers Grammar School in Omagh, Co Tyrone were already keen Gaelic football players so have been able to fulfil this section of the award quite easily.

“I’ve always played football but Gaisce gave me further encouragement to be even more committed to my club,” explains Eoin McGread. “I put more hours in each week. I’ll continue playing when I’m finished but that’s the way with Gaisce. It gives you the motivation, not just to do what’s needed to get the award, but to start a good habit. I took up acting for the first time for my individual skill and I’ve continued on with that.”

Ryan O’Neill (17) is in sixth year and, having done his bronze award last year, has decided to skip the silver and go straight for gold.

“I’ve been playing Gaelic for a long time and my dad is involved in the sport too,” he says. “So it was the obvious choice for the physical recreation category. But it’s not the easy way out. I have to put more work in it each week — training three or four nights a week as well as a match at the weekend. It’s time-consuming. But it’s worth it.

“The President’s award is a good opportunity. Universities look favourably on it, it gives you confidence and it improves communication skills. It’s always good to set yourself targets in life.”

The President’s Award is mirrored in approximately 120 countries worldwide. Since the 1980s an international association has maintained the standards for all. In the United Kingdom it is known as the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme and students in Northern Ireland have the choice to do either the President’s or the Duke of Edinburgh award.

The criteria are exactly the same in each.

Not only is gaining the award good for your CV here in Ireland, but it will also be recognised across the world. So if you begin to feel wanderlust when you finish school (like many adventurous award holders often do), you know that you’ll have a qualification that will stand to you.