Sport In Ardfinnan National School
Physical education is built on the principles of variety and diversity, not of specialisation. Physical education provides opportunities to develop desirable personal and social attributes: the concept of fair play, the acceptance of success and failure, and the ability to co-operate in group situations.
Children are given many opportunities to enjoy a wide variety of competitive and non-competitive activities.
In accordance with Dept. Of Education and Science Primary School Curriculum Guidelines the pupils engage in an extensive range of physical activities.
We are fortunate to have a sizeable school hall and an excellent range of sports equipment to enable us to provide a wide variety of activities for the pupils. Activities including hurling, football, soccer, basketball, uni-hoc, tag rugby, playground games, parachute games, throwing equipment, tug-o-war, tennis, volleyball, skipping, giant Connect 4 and much more!
We have two basketball courts, a grass area and access to the village Green and to the local G.A.A. grounds just outside the village.
All classes attend swimming lessons in Clonmel Pool. 8 week programmes are the norm.
Coaching in Gaelic football and in hurling by qualified coaches is organised for boys and girls from 2nd-6th classes.
Kool School- a health and fitness programme is organised for a number of classes.
About the Active School Flag
The Active School Flag (ASF) is awarded to schools that strive to achieve a physically educated and physically active school community. The process aims to get more schools more active, more often. ASF is Department of Education and Skills initiative supported by Healthy Ireland.
At Ardfinnan NS we strive to prioritise physical education with help from various outside coaches. With many resources the children get many opportunities to become more active. We organise an annual Active School Week. Ardfinnan NS are currently the only school to have achieved their Second Active Flag. We are due to re-apply for third flag in 2019.
The pupils of Ardfinnan N.S participate in a variety of sports competitively. Pupils participate in many inter-school competitions, blitzes and school leagues.
Cumann na mBunscol
Boys participate in U 11 and U 13 hurling and football Competitions. Girls participate in U 11 and U 13 football Competitions. Selected players also go forward to trials for places on the County Primary Game teams in each code. If successful, they proudly wear the blue and gold on big match days.
Mickie O'Mahoney Cup
The Mickie O'Mahoney Memorial cup is an U11 football competition organised annually between Ardfinnan N.S.; Grange N.S., Newcastle N.S. and Ballyporeen N.S. It is in memory of Mickie who spent many years coaching the boys and girls of these schools and for the local club .
John Brennan Cup
The John Brennan Cup is a football competition for boys from our school. Last year boys from 1st-4th class played in it. The League was organised and run by 6th class. It is in memory of John Brennan... a man who owned the Agricultural suppliers and grocery shop where Brett's business now stands. He was a great supporter of the football club throughout his life. His brother, Pakie, was an outstanding player who was named on the Millennium team.(Munster) .
Lambert's Coaches Trophy: This trophy is played for by the Senior Girl's footballers twice yearly. Medals are kindly sponsored by Lamberts.
Willie Condon Cup: Last year was the first year of this hurling competition, which involves mixed teams of pupils from Ardfinnan and Grange Schools. It is held in honour of Willie Condon, a stalwart of Ballybacon-Grange hurling in times past. His grandchildren attend Ardfinnan N.S.
Soccer: A highlight of the 6th Class year is participation in the F.A.I. run Soccer blitz in St. Kevin's, Littleton. Boys and girls teams take part on different days.
School Leagues: Throughout the school year many leagues are organised for pupils in football, hurling, soccer, basketball and uni-hoc.
The Ballybacon-Grange Hurling Club and Ardfinnan Football Club are consistent supports to the School's Gaelic Games activities, financially and on many practical levels. Tipperary goalkeeper and past- pupil Brendan Cummins is a regular visitor.. giving tips , presenting medals and inspiring every pupil.