The inaugural meeting of the newly formed Triangle Irish Sports Youth Association (TISYA) was held on February 13 at the Trali Pub in Morrisville.
The Association will be a part of the Raleigh GAA club rather than a separate entity. To maintain the promise of focusing on youth GAA, it will hold its own meetings, open a separate bank account, host its own website, Facebook page, create its own logo etc.
There will be 3 districts (Chapel Hill, Durham and Raleigh) which will operate somewhat independently of each other and will aim to train once per week. Each district has a principal lead who will lead all activity in that district (Chapel Hill – Dara, Durham – Mike Barbaza, Raleigh – John McNeilly). The districts will meet monthly on a rotating basis for blitzes. Officers for the Association are as follows: Chairman is Dara Ó hAnnaidh, Vice Chairman is Larre Reeves, Secretary is Mike Rooney, Treasurer is Stacey Shields, PRO for social media is Eric Coughlin, PRO for schools is Mike Barbaza
These trainings, blitzes, and a 3-day summer camp are the goals for 2016. The goal for 2017 is to attend regional tournaments in the Southeast and host a youth regional tournament. The goal for 2018 is to attend the Continental youth Championships, which is being held this year in Chicago, for example.
The initial focus will be on Gaelic football, but the Association will also play hurling at the monthly blitzes where equipment, interest, and time allow. Getting into the schools, the middle schools in particular for now since this is where the main enthusiasm seems to be, is seen as crucial.
In attendance at the Association’s inaugural meeting were:
Dara Ó hAnnaidh, Larre Reeves, Mike Rooney, John McNeilly, Stacey Shields, Eric Coughlin (+ Abi and Colby), Mike Barbaza, Aileen Stapleton (+ son), Nick Holmes, and Ciaran Harris
For more information about TIYSA, contact Dara Ó hAnnaidh (daraoh@gmail.com)
