Much is made in modern sport of the ways in which players communicate with fans. It used to be the case that the channel of communication was only through a limited number of media outlets.
There are many working in sport today (ahem) for whom the memory of seeing only about a dozen live games a year on TV was the reality.
In 2019 there would be that many taking place simultaneously at almost any given hour of the day whether on free to air, pay per view or streaming.
Still though we rely on writers, analysts and commentators to make sense of what we see and place it in context.
The written word is a thing of beauty for those who are of that mindset. If you are reading this you probably appreciate that.
Ensuring that it still has a place is all of our responsibility and yesterday in the Republic of Ireland Women’s Senior team training camp, the players and management, as well as the FAI, did their bit in that continuing challenge.
A group of 60 sixth class pupils from Scoil San Carlo Senior National School in Leixlip spent time with the players – including Niamh Farrelly and Tyler Toland pictured above – as part of a visit in association with creative writing organisation, Fighting Words.
Founded by famed Dublin writer Roddy Doyle in 2009, Fighting Words aims to help children and young people to discover and harness the power of their own imaginations and creative writing skills.
It’s a brilliant organisation, with its HQ just across the road from Croke Park and in a building owned by TD and football fan Mick Wallace.
The children conducted interviews with the Ireland players and watched a training session led by Head Coach Colin Bell at Johnstown House.
Following the meet-and-greet with the squad, during which time the students got to quiz the squad on all aspects of life as professional footballers – from training and diet, to how they feel about pulling on the green jersey and representing their country.
Now, with help from their teachers and Fighting Words, the pupils will put together the sports magazine based on everything that they experienced with the players.
We love the idea of what they are doing and as their work progresses and they see their words come to print we will look to bring them to you.
In order to protect the best of what we love about sport you have to work at it. This is a case of doing just that.
The Women’s National Team squad are in camp ahead of their International Friendly game against Italy in Reggio Emilia next Tuesday, April 9.
That game is part of the squad’s preparations for the UEFA Women’s European Championship qualifiers which kick-off in September.
