Columnist Anna Geary signs off on her weekly contributions
IN HER FINAL COLUMN FOR THE CORKMAN, ANNA SPEAKS OF MEETING THE CHALLENGE OF WRITING A WEEKLY COLUMN AND OF THE NEED TO TRY VENTURES NEW TO BREAK OUT OF THE COMFORT ZONE
ONE more for the road? Sure, go on, why not… I ventured into pastures new this week, a trademark of the year that is 2016. Littlewoods Ireland announced their new partnership with The GAA & The Camogie Association on Tuesday and I am privileged to become a style ambassador for the campaign! Having a retail brand sponsoring the Hurling Championship and Camogie National League certainly grabbed attention from the outset, probably because it’s a move that few people envisaged.
Why should this collaboration work? Littlewoods Ireland are not just a strong brand on their own, they know their digital marketing. These days, so much activity is online and this joining will allow the GAA and Camogie to tap into the Littlewoods Ireland knowledge pool and customer base and vice versa. Think of the age group of adult players in our country (and parents of younger players) and then think of the primary age bracket of the people that frequently shop online. There is a direct correlation between both groups.
Littlewoods Ireland recognise the core values of the GAA and Camogie and see many of those in their own organisation. They want to strive to be inclusive and community driven too, with a focus on grassroots level. For me, bringing style and sport together is a great step forward to keep our games contemporary, relevant and to reach even more people. It may help to maintain the interest of those contemplating dropping out of participation.
The partnership may also assist in alleviating the large percentages of young teenage girls dropping out of sport too.
I love sport and I love shopping. My hope is that young people, girls in particular (based on stats), realise that you don’t have to choose between being a stylish skilful player on the pitch and a ‘fashionista’ off the pitch. You can be both if you so choose.
For me, fashion and sport are all about creativity and a freedom of expression. Fashion, just like sport, is about making mistakes and learning from them. Ultimately, it’s about having fun in the process. We’ve all make fashion fauxpas before…socks with sandals, neon clothing, platform school shoes, Crocs. I can feel some of you nodding in agreement right now. Any repeat offenders out there? The same is true of sport.
How many times does we hear the roars uttering throughout stands in every county, town and village, “will you put two hands on the hurley”, or “don’t be putting the ball wide on your own side” (sinful stuff apparently, according to the hurlers ‘on the ditch’).
Working with Littlewoods Ireland has already taken me out of my comfort zone. If you plant me in front of a camera to present, I won’t feel (too) queasy, but knowing that someone is watching my every movement through a lense is very daunting. “Chin up”, “move your shoulder forward”, “look left”, “relax your hands”.
Trying to master the art of doing many things at the same time is like learning to drive all over again. Try, fail, learn, improve. Repeat the process. Mistakes are embarrassing, but once you get over the initial awkwardness, then you can stand more comfortably in your own blunders, laugh them off and just enjoy it.
Walking down the catwalk in Croke Park at the official launch was like a metaphor for life, you may stumble a few times, but if you’re determined and keep a smile on your face you’ll get there in the end.
As I write my last piece for The Corkman, I reflect on what has been a remarkable 12 months. 52 pieces of work, individually crafted and thought out, albeit using the ‘ backspace’ key more times than I care to admit!
Writing a weekly column was one of the many challenges I dared to meet head on in 2016. I recently heard a brilliant quote, one which I will “borrow” and use for the foreseeable future, “Ironing boards are surf boards that gave up their dreams and got a boring job... Don’t be an ironing board”.
Now, let me finish this by saying there is nothing wrong with being an ironing board. In fact, I love ironing, I find it therapeutic! But to get the most out of life, sometimes you must find the courage to test new waters. 18 months ago, I decided to try and become a surf board. Sometimes the sea has been choppy and I’ve fallen off, but that’s how you learn. Learning the ride on the crest of the wave is what life is all about. And it is never too late to be a surf board!
Thank you all for reading my column. Thank you for your kind words and messages. Sometimes I wasn’t sure where I was going, but that’s half the fun.
I hope you enjoyed coming on the journey with me. Wishing you all a peaceful and prosperous Christmas. Nollaig Shona daoibh go leir!
TRYING TO MASTER THE ART OF DOING MANY THINGS AT THE SAME TIME IS LIKE LEARNING TO DRIVE ALL OVER AGAIN. TRY, FAIL, LEARN, IMPROVE. REPEAT THE PROCESS.