An Cosantóir

| 29 www.military.ie THE DEFENCE FORCES MAGAZINE DEFENCE FORCES CAMOGIE RETURNS BY CAPT CATHERINE BARRETT PHOTOS BY CAPT BARRETT A fter more than a 10 year hiatus, camogie is back up and running in the Defence Forces. The relaunch of the sport was marked with the participation in the Chaplin's and Parson's cup, hosted in Galway in April where players from all over the country and all three services, both RDF and PDF joined the mens' hurling side for a tournament. Over 30 camogie players were involved in the inaugural event in Galway which was hosted at Liam Mellows Hurling Club. So far there has been great buy in from right across the Defence Forces, with nearly 70 players and facilitators involved. The partnership with the men's hurling side is one of the most important aspects of the newly relaunched Defence Forces Camogie. Often once a new sport is started up, or in this case relaunched, the challenge can be ensuring that the sport can continue grow and develop without fizzling out. Coordination and cooperation with the men's hurling side, led by Comdt Stephen Molumphy, is key to ensuring that camogie can be relaunched in a sustainable manner, making prolonged continuity more viable by allowing for the pooling of resources and sharing expertise. It also promotes positive, strong working relations between male and female players. While the sports are naturally played separately, the spirit of inclusion, respect and competition is promoted by allowing the male and female sides to work together. It is particularly appropriate and timely given the gradual movement towards further integration of men's and women's Gaelic sports. Also key to ensuring that Defence Forces Camogie can continue and grow is maintaining an inclusive and welcoming environment, and actively avoiding anything that resembles a clique or an exclusive closed group. Keeping the players and facilitators at the heart of all the activities and plans is important. The club is driven to promote an environment where everyone can put forward suggestions and ideas and drive initiatives. Promoting and driving women's sport in the Defence Forces is vital. While women still account for a minority of the personnel that make up the organisation, at times it can be normal to work in an environment where you are only interacting with a very small number of other women in your day to day. Women's sport allows ladies to meet, to get to know each other and to network in an informal environment. It allows working relations to develop organically between members of the organisation who might not necessarily have had that opportunity to meet one another. Most of all though, it is a chance to get out, clear the head, develop physical fitness and have the craic with a great bunch of ladies from all over the country. There are multiple fixtures and plans forecast for the near future and beyond. Training days, representative matches, 7 a side tournaments, combined camps with the hurling side and potential international opportunities – both for travel and to host are being developed. New kit and equipment has also been purchased through the Defence Forces Fitness and Sports Policy Section. Following the success of the recent training day held in the DFTC, with coaching provided by Comdt Andrew O'Shaughnessy, a joint hurling and camogie camp took place in Kilworth Camp in early September (see photos). Participation in Defence Forces Camogie is open to all female personnel in the PDF and RDF. There is a wide spectrum of ability and experience amongst the players currently involved including some of the best players in the country and some returning to play for the first time in years as well as some first timers. The club was relaunched with the intention of catering as broadly as possible to all players; being able to field competitive teams to represent the Defence Forces and providing high end coaching whilst also bringing on the skills of new or returning players. We would encourage everyone who is interested to get involved, including those both male and female who might want to get involved and help out in a supporting capacity. It has been a good start for Defence Forces Camogie, and so far there has been a bigger than expected buy in from players across the country as well as the formation of a talented and devoted management and selector team. We are looking forward to representing the Defence Forces in matches, working and training closely with the hurlers and generally growing and developing as a team while enjoying days out on the pitch with our friends and colleagues. Recent training session Team picture from a recent match Team drills at a recent team session DF Team picture from a recent match DF Team performing warm up drills Cpl Fran Fitzhenry giving his pre match talk

• Cover