Sport in St. Joseph’s N.S.
St.
Joseph’s NS has always enjoyed a reputation for its sporting
excellence. The school provides a wide variety of sport for its
pupils. Among the sports played in the school are football, hurling,
basketball, soccer, rugby (tag and contact) tennis, swimming, chess
and athletics. While our school teams have been very successful the
emphasis is always on preparation and participation.
As
teachers we realise the huge potential sport plays in the
self-development of the boys. From an early age children are
encouraged to engage in a wide range of physical activities. All
children, ultimately, find their own favourite sport and activity
and we then provide every support possible for them to excel at
this.
Team
sport is very important in developing important characteristics for
growth. The ability to work and co-operate with others is critical
in all aspects of sport and life. We instill confidence in the
children during their physical activities and give them the
knowledge that they are an important part of the team.
Self-discipline and the ability to play within the rules are other
vital life skills developed through school sporting activities.
At a
time where our lives have become very sedentary the curriculum now
provides a wide range of activities to encourage children to become
more physically active. Every class level play sport and it is given
a high priority by the staff within the school.
We
are very fortunate to have a staff with a huge commitment and
dedication to the development of sport in the school. Teachers train
and prepare teams both during and after school time. In other cases
teachers, with the support of some of the parents, travel huge
distances to support our school teams in their competitions around
the country.
Given its commitment to sport it’s no wonder the school has produced
many famous national and international sports stars in all codes.
Among the most famous ex-pupils are Noel Cantwell (Former Ireland
and Manchester United captain), John Kerins (Former All-Ireland
Football winner 1990), Ronan Curran (All-Ireland Hurling Winner and
All Star), Frankie Sheehan (Heineken Cup Winner with Munster and
Irish Rugby International), Niall Turner (US Colleges MVP 2005 for
Golf), Paul Duncliffe (Irish International Boxer), Colin O Brien,
(Cork City Soccer player), Evan Ryan and Richard Mc Carthy (Munster
U-18 and Irish U-18 Rugby Players).
A
love of sport and physical activity begins in school and we continue
to do everything we can to promote and encourage all sporting
activity within the school. Through the training, the playing, the
winning and losing children learn valuable lessons about their own
abilities and character. Above all else, sport helps keep the boys
fit and healthy and if we can contribute to achieving this in school
then we will be perfectly happy that we’ve achieved something very
worthwhile.
