TEACHER RESOURCES:Less obvious sports for Transition Year students

SAILING

Oatlands College in Stillorgan, Palmerstown Community College, and St Mary’s College in Rathmines are among 25 Dublin-based members of a Transition Year programme provided by the Irish National Sailing School at Dún Laoghaire. Students undertake Level One of the Irish Sailing Association and Royal Yachting Association’s syllabus. For more information, contact the INSS on 01-2844195.

SELF-DEFENCE

Many schools offer a self-defence module as part of the TY programme, including Borrisokane Community College in Co Tipperary, St Louis Secondary in Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan, and Ballinrobe Community School in Co Mayo. Information on local groups is available at shotokanireland.org, irishjudoassociation.ie, or martialarts.ie.

FENCING

Swords at the ready! Hartstown Community College and Castleknock College, both in Dublin 15, are among the schools which have offered fencing modules to TY students. The Irish Fencing Federation has a schools development programme with grants available to schools that wish to include the sport in their programme. For more information, email the IFF: secretary@irishfencing.net.

TENNIS

No swords, no climbing treacherous slopes, no death grips, no dangerous currents – anxious parents and teachers can take a breather as TY students take on the tennis. Tennis Ireland can provide a list of coaches in your area. For more information, call 018844010 or email info@tennisireland.ie

NEXT WEEK: FOOD AND NUTRITION