Victoria Park School - winners in 2004 and 2005

Over 300 young people from 16 Primary Schools in Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton will descend on Stuart Bathurst Catholic School (Wednesbury) on Wednesday 15th March (10am-3pm) to celebrate one of the Midlands fastest growing sports.
Gaelic football is a sport, which can be enjoyed by both primary school boys and girls, and is the national sport of Ireland which is now played by people all over the world. The B.C.S.G.A.A is successfully breaking down cultural barriers by delivering the sport to young people from diverse ethnic and social backgrounds –a school scheme, which is the largest of its kind outside Ireland.
The championship event is a culmination of a unique 8-week Gaelic Football child-centred coaching programme currently taking place in 16 primary schools across the Black Country, involving over 600 children. The B.C.S.G.A.A Primary School Gaelic Games Initiative was first developed in September 2003 by Bishop Challoner Catholic School and the Sandwell Irish Society, and is now regarded as the one of the fastest growing sports in the Midlands. Most recently, the programme received an award from both the National Youth Sports Trust and Sports Coach UK for excellence in PE and school sport.
Firm favourites for this year’s competition will be Victoria Park School from West Bromwich who won the title in 2004 and 2005, and went on to represent the Midlands in the national finals.
However, all eyes will be the St. Gregory’s School from Smethwick and Holy Rosary School of Wolverhampton who have both impressed coaches in the build up to the championship and will be looking to find a winning formula for their newly learned Gaelic football skills. To celebrate the progress Gaelic Games has made in the midlands former Kilkenny GAA star and current president elect of the GAA of Ireland, Nicky Brennan, will be joining the school children on the playing field.