Students of Our Lady of Good Counsel School in Ballincollig love their Coever soccer coaching sessions

There was huge excitement recently for the students of Our Lady of Good Counsel School in Ballincollig when Luke Noonan and Daniel Bennett from Coerver Coaching Munster came to the school to do some coaching that was sponsored by O’Keeffe’s Bakery.

The collaboration between Coerver Coaching Munster and O’Keeffe’s Bakery is part of the Coerver Schools Program.

This program helps break down barriers for children to access sport by bringing sport to them in their school at no cost.

Coerver look for local businesses to collaborate on the project with and then go deliver the program in a school of that business's choice and in this instance O’Keeffe’s Bakery chose Our Lady of Good Counsel school which was a great choice by Stephen O’Keeffe.

The program aims to boost physical activity levels for all children through the medium of football.

As part of this program over 30 pupils with additional needs have participated weekly in fun and engaging sessions which see all pupils partake using their own ball to ensure each child has equal and sufficient contact time with the ball. 

This also allows for each child no matter their previous experience with the sport to participate to their full capacity and challenge themselves individually.

“It has been an unbelievably rewarding experience, the children have been so engaged with every session and every little challenge we have thrown their way during the program,” Luke said.

“The excitement coming into the session and during when goals are scored is truly infectious and has really opened our eyes to the sporting ability of some of these children.

“If more programs like this could be facilitated across the county it truly could be the start of a revolution in sporting opportunity for children with additional needs as the experience significant barrier to sporting participation that other mainstream children in sport simply don’t.

“Daniel Bennett has been delivering the program with me (Danny as he is known to the students ) has a wealth of experience with Cork City and Douglas Hall and also has previously worked as an SNA in schools across Cork, however, is now part of the full-time staff with Coerver. 

"His previous experience of working with children with additional needs has been very important in the planning and implementation of the program,” Noonan added.

Aisling Power, who is principal of Our Lady of Good Counsel school is delighted for Coerver to come into their school to coach the children, however, she singles out Steven O’Keeffe from O’Keeffe’s Bakery for special praise as without their sponsorship this program just would not have happened.

“Firstly, I would like to thank Luke and Daniel from Coerver for coming into our school to work with the students,” Aisling said.

“Also we are very grateful of the very kind sponsorship from Steven from O’Keeffe’s Bakery, as without his company’s financial support these programs would be not possible.

“These programs are so important for our students as not only does it help them with their fitness, it also helps them enjoy the experience and have some fun with their friends.

“Finally, I want to thank our wonderful SNAS, teachers and especially our speech and therapy teachers, who do such vital work with our students every day,” Power added.