Wexford camogie star, Ursula Jacob is very, very happy.
The Oulart-The Ballagh woman is speaking to ?Irish Country Living after Electric Ireland announced their commitment to sponsoring the minor and third level camogie championship.
“I would have been really, really excited if I saw a sponsorship deal like this because I would have known then that people are interested in it, people are taking camogie seriously and they are looking to promote it,” explains Ursula, who represented Wexford herself at both minor and senior level.
It makes sense; a national brand who have been involved with hurling are now willing to back the camogie association. For any brand to come on board financially ?they would have been crunching numbers before signing on the dotted line. And Electric Ireland have signed on the dotted line for three years, signaling the belief they have in our young camogie players.
“They are really committed to the younger players who are going to be the future stars of the camogie association,” emphasises Ursula.
“These championships are the key playing grounds in terms of youth development,” she continues. “It is where these players get to develop and hone their skills and it is where they get to progress up into the adult and senior teams.”
Motivation
When studying sports and recreation management at South Eastern Technological University (SETU) – or Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT) - as it was then, Ursula was proud to play her part in the educational institution’s rich camogie tradition at the third level competitions. Having gone through many a cold, wintery training session, she knows only too well what it means to have a nationally recognised brand onboard for the competition journey.
But to get togged out for SETU or your county all begins with drills and skills from national school days and Electric Ireland have gotten behind the Camogie Association’s ‘Hurl with Me’ programme too. This is all about encouraging parents and guardians to get involved and go to training alongside their children. So rather than dropping them off, the parents are there, involved with the kids’ sporting endeavours.
“It is a really nice programme because it creates a stronger bond between the kids and the parents,” says Ursula. “When I was a young kid ?my mam and dad were actively involved with underage teams. That makes a massive difference because when your parents are actively supporting you, you are more inclined to stay involved, you are more inclined to stay motivated for training.”
Drawing on her masters in sports psychology, Ursula explains; “Even if not directly involved, if your child sees you walking around the pitch or talking to people involved or other parents, they see that you are taking an interest in what they are doing, you automatically feel more motivated in being there.”
Ursula Jacob ready to hit a sliotar with blue background
Just getting out of the car and slotting in time for their own exercise has its benefits too.
“I see so many of the parents and they link in with other parents; they go for their walk around the pitch while the training is on,” says Ursula. “It is a great way for the mammies and daddies to get to know other people too.”
Predictions, predictions
With the third level championships underway at the moment and finals scheduled for mid-February, who will Ursula be backing for the win?
“I have to put my money on SETU; where I studied. There are some fantastic teams out there, DCU are the reigning champions and I’m sure they’ll want to hold onto the cup for another year. But look, SETU there or thereabouts!”
After that, the minor championships will be getting underway.
What way does she see this going? “Cork have really dominated things. They have a great set up in all the underage teams. The likes of Galway are always there and Kilkenny too but I think Cork has a great set up going forward.”
All that is left now is for clubs to implement their own three-year plan to lift a cup and experience that winning feeling! CL
Ursula’s Top Tips
for parents
1Be present. Be there
Watch the training, go for a walk around the pitch while your kid is training.
2volunteer
Everyone has a role; it is not just certain people who have a role. Whether it is washing jerseys, making teas, looking after the first aid, actively training or coaching the teams, there is a way you can help out.
3encouragE
It’s not all about the competitive side of things, it’s about the participation. Highlight the social aspect of being involved with a team, encourage your kid to stay involved with a team. There are so many health benefits, both mental and physical and social benefits by being involved in a team environment.
Read more
‘My dream was to be a Kilkenny hurler and play on the hurling team’
Sport review 2022: a little bit of history repeating
Wexford camogie star, Ursula Jacob is very, very happy.
The Oulart-The Ballagh woman is speaking to ?Irish Country Living after Electric Ireland announced their commitment to sponsoring the minor and third level camogie championship.
“I would have been really, really excited if I saw a sponsorship deal like this because I would have known then that people are interested in it, people are taking camogie seriously and they are looking to promote it,” explains Ursula, who represented Wexford herself at both minor and senior level.
It makes sense; a national brand who have been involved with hurling are now willing to back the camogie association. For any brand to come on board financially ?they would have been crunching numbers before signing on the dotted line. And Electric Ireland have signed on the dotted line for three years, signaling the belief they have in our young camogie players.
“They are really committed to the younger players who are going to be the future stars of the camogie association,” emphasises Ursula.
“These championships are the key playing grounds in terms of youth development,” she continues. “It is where these players get to develop and hone their skills and it is where they get to progress up into the adult and senior teams.”
Motivation
When studying sports and recreation management at South Eastern Technological University (SETU) – or Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT) - as it was then, Ursula was proud to play her part in the educational institution’s rich camogie tradition at the third level competitions. Having gone through many a cold, wintery training session, she knows only too well what it means to have a nationally recognised brand onboard for the competition journey.
But to get togged out for SETU or your county all begins with drills and skills from national school days and Electric Ireland have gotten behind the Camogie Association’s ‘Hurl with Me’ programme too. This is all about encouraging parents and guardians to get involved and go to training alongside their children. So rather than dropping them off, the parents are there, involved with the kids’ sporting endeavours.
“It is a really nice programme because it creates a stronger bond between the kids and the parents,” says Ursula. “When I was a young kid ?my mam and dad were actively involved with underage teams. That makes a massive difference because when your parents are actively supporting you, you are more inclined to stay involved, you are more inclined to stay motivated for training.”
Drawing on her masters in sports psychology, Ursula explains; “Even if not directly involved, if your child sees you walking around the pitch or talking to people involved or other parents, they see that you are taking an interest in what they are doing, you automatically feel more motivated in being there.”
Ursula Jacob ready to hit a sliotar with blue background
Just getting out of the car and slotting in time for their own exercise has its benefits too.
“I see so many of the parents and they link in with other parents; they go for their walk around the pitch while the training is on,” says Ursula. “It is a great way for the mammies and daddies to get to know other people too.”
Predictions, predictions
With the third level championships underway at the moment and finals scheduled for mid-February, who will Ursula be backing for the win?
“I have to put my money on SETU; where I studied. There are some fantastic teams out there, DCU are the reigning champions and I’m sure they’ll want to hold onto the cup for another year. But look, SETU there or thereabouts!”
After that, the minor championships will be getting underway.
What way does she see this going? “Cork have really dominated things. They have a great set up in all the underage teams. The likes of Galway are always there and Kilkenny too but I think Cork has a great set up going forward.”
All that is left now is for clubs to implement their own three-year plan to lift a cup and experience that winning feeling! CL
Ursula’s Top Tips
for parents
1Be present. Be there
Watch the training, go for a walk around the pitch while your kid is training.
2volunteer
Everyone has a role; it is not just certain people who have a role. Whether it is washing jerseys, making teas, looking after the first aid, actively training or coaching the teams, there is a way you can help out.
3encouragE
It’s not all about the competitive side of things, it’s about the participation. Highlight the social aspect of being involved with a team, encourage your kid to stay involved with a team. There are so many health benefits, both mental and physical and social benefits by being involved in a team environment.
Read more
‘My dream was to be a Kilkenny hurler and play on the hurling team’
Sport review 2022: a little bit of history repeating
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