New facilities at Dunhill GAA and Butlerstown GAA are enabling u-16 Hurling & Football academy squads to
take part in a newly designed training block of tailored training sessions utilising gym facilities and floodlit
astro pitches. These 90 minute sessions consist of skill development in Hurling and Football, strength training,
running mechanics, athletic development coaching, nutritional coaching and speed work.
This new training block, which is sponsored by the Waterford GAA Supporters Club, is aimed at supporting
the progression of players through the academy program towards minor inter-county level and beyond. The
academy squads are currently involved in Friday night gym sessions and Sunday morning outdoor sessions,
which have been running since October 2024.
Dunhill GAA have recently opened a new 3G pitch which is open for bookings. Butlerstown GAA have recently
built their own purpose-built modern gym facility.
Waterford Hurling & Football academy squads at U/14, U/15, and U/16 age profile are engaged in high level
coaching in all facets of player development and team preparation. The academy group is comprised of 50
mentors, and over 230 players who play over 100 games per season. There are 5 national fixture dates that
run between April to August each year, exposing our finest talent in Hurling and Football to national standard
competitions.
Separately in 2024 Waterford county board entered a hurling team in the Celtic Challenge, which is a national
U-17 hurling competition for tier one hurling counties. Waterford reached the semi-final stage of this
worthwhile competition. Waterford county board have also established its first U/19 hurling development
squad which will help to promote and support the development of players out of minor and prepares them
for U/20 inter-county standard.
Many thanks to Dunhill GAA Club, Butlerstown GAA Club, Waterford GAA Supporters Club, Déise Óg
Development Squads Work Group for making these additional sessions possible at academy squad level, and
Waterford GAA County Executive for extending the development program to u/17 and U/19 which will pave
the way for our finest talent to compete nationally at the highest level.
A level of funding raised from the win a house in Waterford house draw (being run by the Waterford GAA
Supporters Club) will be allocated to supporting future development programs for our underage talent within
clubs, schools and development squads. Tickets for the house draw can be purchased at
www.winahouseinwaterford.com or via adult GAA clubs throughout the county. When you purchase a house
draw ticket, you are a member of the Waterford GAA Supporters club until August 31 st 2025. Tickets can also
be purchased through our official sellers: ‘Cass and Co’, ‘the Local Bar & Restaurant’ in Dungarvan Square,
Harvey Travel and the Granville Hotel in Waterford city.
