New Deansrath St Ronan’s Club launched
THE NEW Deansrath St Ronan's Badminton Club in Clondalkin is already attracting a huge amount of interest.
Set up by Andy Tang, the club was officially launched in Deansrath Community College last week and among those in attendance at the event were Paul Gogarty, South Dublin County Mayor, Fiach Andrews, Development Officer in Badminton Ireland, Mary Fitzgerald, Principal of St Ronan’s National School, Helen Taylor, Principal of Deansrath Community College and Thos McDermott, Co-ordinator of the South Dublin County Sports Partnership.
Tang is expecting the club to cater for up to 50 members this season and is also hoping to enter teams into the Dublin Schools Badminton League.
The appetite to engage in the sport is certainly there if the badminton open session held in St Ronan’s NS last May is anything to go by.
Indeed 130 children tried out the sport in their own school hall with another 45 in the neighbouring Deansrath CC.
“The session was welcomed with enthusiasm from the kids and the feedback was very positive” recalled Tang who has been very encouraged with the help and encourgament he has received in establishing his new club.
“Originally the idea was to use the small hall of St Ronan’s for the basic shots and footwork then perhaps looking to hire a hall somewhere else when they have advanced to a certain level.
“Then, thanks to the community liason officers who highlighted our plight, the nearby Deansrath Community College came on board to offer their lovely three-court hall towards our cause.
“So here we are now. The foundations are in place.
“I know it will be a very tough and challenging time ahead and I cannot do it alone. I will need the help of all my friends in the badminton circle plus the local Sports Partnership, Badminton Ireland and of course all the teachers from both schools that volun-teered to help make this happen” he pointed out.
