Whistles At the Ready! Young Whistlers Football Course (North East)

Allianz Cumann na mBunscol held a Young Whistlers referee course for Gaelic football in the North East of the county on Wednesday September 25th in Kilcoole Primary School.  This course has grown from strength to strength over the last number of years from 12 to 25 participants. There was a wide representation across the district, with sixteen different schools represented on the day. The participants were made up of mature, responsible 5th/6th class boys and girls who share a passion for Gaelic football and are interested in learning more about refereeing.  

The coaching session was led by North East GDA (Games Development Administrator) Garrett Doyle, who engaged the group in discussion about the basic rules of the game and how best to communicate those rules to players, coaches and spectators alike. The course content covered topics such as: Motivation to be a referee, Knowledge of rules, Problem scenarios and Communication styles.  The children worked very well together in group and pair work and showed a high level of engagement and enthusiasm throughout. It is heartening to see the next generation of Young Whistlers begin their refereeing journey, as without referees, we have no game. Thank you to all the boys and girls who volunteered and we look forward to seeing you refereeing your local Gaelic football games in the future! 

 Course participants: Ezra Mullen (Nuns Cross), Harry O’Dwyer (St Laurences, Greystones), Saorla Doyle, Kaitlyn Mullen (St Patrick’s Loreto, Bray), Julieanne Nic Thréinir, Paddy MacSheáin (Gaeilscoil na gCloch Liath), Sarah Heffernan, Evan Keating (Kilcoole PS), Barry MacRéamonn, Molly Chróc (Gaeilcoil Uí Chéadaigh), Ryan Lee, Tomás Duncan (St Cronan’s, Bray), Alessia Jameson, Ella Newsome (St Coen’s, Rathnew), Kacey Buckley, Evie Byrne (Ravenswell, Bray), Charlie Moore, Megan Driver (Kilmacanogue NS), May Nolan (St Fergals, Bray), Grace McGillicuddy, Zaara Boufarsse (Greystones Educate Together), Barry Mac Réamonn (Gaeilscoil Uí Chéadaigh), Eabhín Doherty, Seán Roche (Scoil Chualann), Abdelhi Alsulaiman (Greystones CNS) Emily Williams (Brittas Bay NS).   

Young Whistlers and Young Journalists!

Hi, my name is Kacey and I took part in the Young Whistlers course. I learned how to referee a match. I learned about fouls and frees, and lots more about being a good referee in a game. It was really fun and so cool to learn about being a good referee. Now I am qualified to referee some matches.

My name is Evie and I took part in the Young Whistlers course with Cumann na mBunscol Chill Mhantáin. We learned how to referee Gaelic football matches. We learned all of the signs and rules, and it was so fun! I am looking forward to refereeing lots of matches in the future. I really had fun!

By Kacey and Evie, Ravenswell Primary School