Philly McMahon was joined by Aoife Kane, Ali Twomey and Fergal Whitely and around 80 kids from local schools at Ballyfermot Sports Complex yesterday at the first AIG Heroes event in this the third year of the initiative.
It is an initiative which helps support local grassroots communities by partnering with Dublin GAA and others to use sport as a means to build self-confidence and social skills in young kids.
It was launched in Ireland towards the end of 2016 when the All Blacks were over and continued through last year with events featuring Dublin GAA and the Black Ferns of the New Zealand Women’s Rugby Team who went on to win the Women’s Rugby World Cup in Belfast.
To create something that extends beyond the excitement of the visit of the players all the equipment used in the session is left behind with the local schools.
“The purpose of these events is reaching out to schools and children and involving the sports stars who we are fortunate to work with in order that they might inspire the next generation,” said AIG Sponsorship Manager John Gillick speaking to Sport for Business.
“We have coaches and Games Promotions Officers from Dublin GAA, as well as other sports who will come and set up drills so it’s a proper coaching session, then the stars arrive and the energy just soars.”
“We leave behind some equipment like bibs and balls and cones, the kind of things that make a difference after the smiles and the skills have been delivered.”
Read about AIG’s extension of its partnership with Dublin GAA announced last month.
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Image Credit: Sam Barnes, Sportsfile
