The GAA 5 Star initiative aims to support and recognise Primary Schools that provide pupils with 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous Gaelic Games activity per week in a manner that ensures the children will experience fun, friendship, fairness and ultimately improve their fitness.
Recognition as a “GAA 5 Star Centre” is awarded to Primary Schools that undertake to deliver a programme of Gaelic Games activity that is age-appropriate and meets the developmental needs of children within the school. In order to receive recognition as a “GAA 5 Star Centre” a Primary School must provide for the flexible delivery of the following activities over the course of a school year:
- Have a Ball
- Fun and Run
- Catch and Kick
- Strike It
- Go Games Skills Challenges
With children taking part in Scaoith na Scol football and hurling competitions, non-competitive football, hurling and camogie competitions, the children in Rylane National School are playing a huge amount of GAA in school.
With the assistance of frequent coaching sessions from Colm Crowley, Games Development Administrator with Cork GAA, the children are being introduce to many facets of GAA.
This year, teachers have put an additional focus on Gaelic games based activities as part of their Physical Education lessons.