SLIGO Olympic Handball Association leads the way. SKG Rossdorf (GER) visit Sligo
Source and more information: http://www.sligohandball.org/news.html
For a full week a team from SKG Rossdorf (Germany) stayed in Sligo during their autumn holidays. 15 boys in the age of 11 - 16 found a 'new home' during their stay with families of players of our club.
A program of great diversity was organised and it can be safely said there was no chance for the guests to be bored at any time.Summerhill College provided the opportunity for the handball players to get a sniff of gaelic football in a workshop specifically organised for them. A 'town treasure hunt' in Sligo made them familiar with the area (and the fact that nearly every person would know the melody of "oro se do beatha bhaille").
They took part in a tournament with secondary schools from Sligo, Ballisodare, Galway and Ros Muc. A family day provided opportunities for a range of activities in the wider surroundings of Sligo. Handball dominated the weekend when Astra (Terenure), Sligo and Rossdorf played club v club matches - and the U-17's got involved in a challenge match with the adults from Sligo and Rossdorf. Surfing in Strandhill was a particularly unique experience for the German boys whose home town is located near Frankfurt with the sea some 600 km away.
A day in the local schools with their hosts gave an impression of the differences in the school settings in Ireland and Germany. And last not least a small court jamboree in Collooney brought together all players from Sligo and Rossdorf for a wonderful 'farewell party' ... with incredible food supplied by parents of our club.
The entire week was extremely enjoyable for all involved. The feedback from the German boys and also from their six coaches/parents was overwhelmingly positive with a specific note on the hospitality on the side of the host families.Without the support of so many individuals in the club, all contributing within their own area and as good as they could, such an exchange program would be simply impossible.
Looking at it from another angle, where it is possible to provide such opportunities to our children (and ourselves) it is a demonstration of simple cooperation beyond the realms of profit and personal gains - and this in itself is worth probably hundreds of times more than any old trophy.
So: a great thanks to all parents, players, helpers, teachers, family members - who all contributed to make the exchange a huge success.
