Salthill Knocknacarra GAA Club is delighted to announce a new sponsorship partnership with Gourmet Food Parlour, which will see the national restaurant and catering group — headed up by local entrepreneur Lorraine Heskin and based in Salthill — become the main sponsor of the Club’s Nursery and Academy programmes. Salthill Knocknacarra GAA’s Nursery and Academy programme is one of the largest of its kind in Galway and Connacht for young boys and girls. Read all about it below...
The Club runs its Nursery and Academy every Sunday morning at The Prairie on Dr Mannix Road at 9.15am, where hundreds of boys and girls are introduced to Gaelic football, hurling, and camogie in a fun, inclusive environment. The club is proud to be one of the few in Galway offering a fully integrated model across all codes under its “One Club, Four Codes” approach.
Under the Gourmet Food Parlour sponsorship, each child who joins the Club Nursery will receive a branded introductory gear pack, including a specially designed Nursery top, club shorts and socks, and a gear sack — a first-of-its-kind initiative in Galway that will also help strengthen the club’s ongoing relationships with local schools through its weekly in-school coaching.
Lorraine Heskin, CEO of Gourmet Food Parlour, expressed her delight at the new partnership: “We’re absolutely delighted to support the incredible work being done by Salthill Knocknacarra GAA. As a proud local business rooted in the heart of Salthill, it feels like a natural extension of our values to support a club so deeply embedded in the local community. The Nursery and Academy programme brings children and families together in such a positive and active way — we’re thrilled to be part of helping the next generation take their first steps in sport.”
Alan Hassett, Chairman of Salthill Knocknacarra GAA, expressed his gratitude for the partnership, stating: “This sponsorship with Gourmet Food Parlour is a significant milestone for our club. Their support will greatly enhance our Nursery and Academy programmes at a formative stage, allowing us to provide an enriching experience for our young boys and girls as they begin their GAA journey. It’s partnerships like these that further reinforce the spirit of our ‘One Club, Four Codes, One Community’ motto and our Club Values. We look forward to building a strong and enduring relationship with Gourmet Food Parlour for the years to come.”
Cathal Sweeney, Galway and Salthill Knocknacarra GAA senior footballer, also welcomed the news: “It’s fantastic to see Gourmet Food Parlour coming on board to support our youngest players. The Nursery is where I started my own journey with the club, and it’s brilliant to see it going from strength to strength. I’d really encourage more parents in the community to bring their children along to our club — it’s a great way to build friendships, confidence, and a lifelong love of Gaelic Games that I’ve been fortunate to enjoy.”
Matthew Thompson, Galway and Salthill Knocknacarra GAA senior footballer, added: “The Nursery and Academy have become the heartbeat of the club, and it’s brilliant to see a local business like Gourmet Food Parlour investing in that future. These young kids are the next generation of players and supporters, and this kind of backing helps give them the best possible start. As a senior player, it’s fantastic to see that support from the ground up.”
The collaboration between Gourmet Food Parlour and Salthill Knocknacarra GAA emphasises the importance of community support in fostering active lifestyles and promoting Gaelic Games. The club eagerly anticipates the positive impact this partnership will have on all children and families involved.
For parents interested in enrolling their child in the Club’s Nursery, Academy, or any of its older age groups, they can contact the Club’s full-time GPO, Robert Owens, at 086-8485637.
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