The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Underage Academy is going from strength to strength under McEvoy
PRESTON McEvoy is the club’s Academy Co-ordinator and he has a very big task looking after children from as young as five up to 10.
“While it is a demanding job I have a wonderful group of volunteers behind me which makes the task much easier,” McEvoy says. “We have approximately 170 children in the Academy and it is great now that the numbers of girls taking part is increasing all the time.
“We had four under-11 teams last year with all the players coming from the Academy. All the parents are present at the Academy
every Saturday and it is a social hub where they can have a cup a tea and makes friends with each other. They are given the best of hospitality from the shop manager Mary McLoughlin.
“A big coaching team looks after the children and there is a great buzz amongst the budding young stars when they turn up for training. They display great enthusiasm and commitment and really look forward to their regular sessions.
“Our aim is for the Academy to grow and prosper and we have a development project on the agenda which will include upgrading the pitch and surrounding area opening an activities room upstairs at the clubhouse and down the line pressing ahead with a full size astro turf pitch. Our present pitch is not big enough for the demand that is out there.”
McEvoy said an Academy could not operate but for its sponsors and he would like to extend his sincere gratitude to their main sponsors The Playdium, Manor West, Meadowlands Hotel and O’Neill’s International Transport.
“There is big demand to join our Academy and last year there was a waiting list drawn up as everyone could not be accommodated.
“We want the children to have the very best of coaching and give them the opportunity to play the game at the very highest level possible.”