Dear Members and Friends,

I recently attended a meeting of the Autism Friendly Terenure group, sponsored by AsIAm – Ireland’s Autism Charity. I listened to parents of children with Additional Needs tell their story of their children’s difficulties and also of the benefits their children get from participation in sports groups. I was asked would we, in TSS, be able to run an Additional Needs team. Our club committee has supported this proposal, and I have offered to champion setting up a sports team that would cater for Additional Needs children. 

Why:  
One of the core pillars of our ethos in Templeogue Synge Street GAA Club is Inclusion and Equality. (see the TSS ethos logo above)

What are we starting : 
TSS SuperStars is name we are giving the team for children with Additional Needs (Autism/Neuro divergent/ Downs Syndrome ….etc). This team will need a 1:1 coach ratio. So the SuperStars are really limited in what the can be done only by the number of Super people who volunteer to help to be a SuperStars coach.

Where and When: 
Terenure College has kindly offered to host this Team on their All-Weather pitch beside their swimming pool. We plan to start before the end of May 2025,  running from 12.15pm to 12.45pm (Yes, its 30 minutes long, with a little set up time and tidy up time either side of the official time) 

The Ask from You : 
We need help to run this. Can you give 1 hour on Saturdays between 12 and 1pm to help with the SuperStars?
·        You don’t need to be GAA Coach or Specially trained, just to be patient for that time. Training and help and guidance will be provided.

·        You need to be Garda Vetted (as All coaches in TSS are). This is a simple process but can takes c. 3-5 weeks to run through the process.

What you get back : 
·       Unconditional appreciation, and 

·       A huge sense of achievement, and 

·       A new friend.

The Win that the Children get
·        An Opportunity to participate in GAA, like all typical children.

·        A Chance to make new friends.

·        A Massive sense of achievement that they are taking part just like other typical children.

The Win that their Parents get
·        A 30-minute break from parenting.

·        Opportunity to network with other parents and compare notes on support services. (eg: share info on a good Speech and Language Therapist)

·        An opportunity for parents to compare notes on places for normal services (eg: simple things such as  Where is the most understanding barber).

·        A feeling that TSS really is really inclusive.

 

If helping children who need some additional help in order to play GAA is something that you can find the time to help with, or you know someone who could help with this, or would like to know more about, please email as soon as possible: chairperson.templeoguesyngestreet.dublin@gaa.ie

 

Regards,
 

Templeogue Synge Street GAA Club