KIDS PROGRAMS

Fall 2016 - are offering an indoor youth program at Naperville Yard on Sunday nights at 5 p.m.  The Naperville Hurling Club is working actively with Chicago Gaelic Games Development and Colm Egan to provide coaching!  You can see the schedule and details at the following LINK.  

Why would you teach your kids hurling?  First - hurling is fun.  As an adult, I can say I only wish I'd have discovered it earlier in life.  Second - the breadth of skills utilized in the sport are extraordinary.  As a result, hurling skills are very transferable to other sports like hockey, baseball, lacrosse, soccer and hand ball and of course, skills from those sports are transferable to hurling. Third, due simply to the relative size of the emerging hurling movement, youth in hurling have better opportunities to rise to the top competitive levels as they improve.  Fourth, it is affordable!  You can completely outfit a youth for about $120 and seasonal fees are $100 (indoor and outdoor).  Finally, the pure uniqueness of the sport makes for great conversation and interesting resume items when they go off to college and the workforce.  

Kids programs at this time are primarily focused on hurling, but we also introduce kids to Gaelic Football so they are exposed to both of these great Irish games.  They may choose one or the other as they get older or they may choose to continue to play both!  The program is targeted for boy and girls from 6 - 14 years of age.  They are generally grouped under 8s, under 10s, under 12s and 12-14.  Age 15 or older can train with the adults, but must be 16 before they can join in match play.  Boys and girls play both sports together in the youth program.

The program focuses on skills in a fun and low pressure environment (plenty of time for that later!).  We focus on proper training and using proper equipment to keep the kids safe. 

We will require the kids to use appropriate language, treat the other kids, coaches and referees with respect.  Finally, in addition to the local learning and training opportunities, kids will have a chance to go to Gaelic Park and play on the big field in the stadium if they want to.  

Please submit your information on our Contact page if you have questions or are interested in kids programs in early 2016!  

Photo courtesy of Chicago Gaelic Games Development.

The video below is of one of the Chicago Gaelic Games Development kids programs teaching Gaelic Football.

Photo courtesy of Chicago Gaelic Games Development.