Dear Nursery & U6 Parents,

As Dean Martin sang in 1959 “Baby it’s cold outside” and he sure was right….

Yesterday was a cold morning to meet Santa but it didn’t stop the kids in doing so and I and all the nursery/U6 coaches hope you enjoyed yourselves and managed to get to talk to the man himself.

We've reached the end of another year and despite all that it had to throw at us, it was a very successful year for the club not only at Senior, U23, Minor and Underage but, it was also a very successful year for nursery and U6. We finished the year with 83 children registered at this age group.

This success can be summed up in three parts: kids, parents and coaches. Without either one, the club facilities and local / community spirit wouldn’t exist.

To the kids of nursery/U6: I hope you enjoyed yourselves this year. I know I did. You brought great energy and enthusiasm every Saturday morning and hope that will continue in 2022.

To the parents: You live in fear on the sideline in case you get asked to help out. Don’t worry, every parent in every club in every county runs that gauntlet every week…. I was that parent once.

To those parents who did step forward when asked to help out and to especially those who took a further step and committed to helping out whether it was for one Saturday or for all, I thank you a thousand times over. Parents are what make these weekly events successful. You have a role in the future success of the club, more than you may realise.

To the Coaches (current group): Saturday mornings, monthly zoom meetings to plan ahead, organise parties, beg, borrow, steal what was needed then look for forgiveness when you had to put it back… You’ve all made sacrifices for club and members to ensure Saturday morning was a great experience. You are all parents too and while somethings it was hard watching your own kids being elsewhere on the pitch or even away at other matches, you are all national treasures for your dedication to others.

From myself, it was an absolute pleasure working with everyone. I’m really proud of what was achieved in the nursery over the last two years. Success only comes with hard work and hard work only happens with dedicated people involved. I’m privileged to say this was the case for Athgarvan GAA Nursery & U6 and you only have to reflect on every Saturday morning to know this is true.

Finally, from myself and all the coaches, we wish every child, parent and club member a very happy Christmas and New Year. We hope to see you all again in either late Feb or very early March 2022. We’ll keep you all posted on that front… And so, it’s time to sign off for 2021.

Le gach dea-ghui i gcomhair na nollag agus na h-ath bhlian.

John & Nursery & U6 Coaches