Campa ball-coise a’ cuideachadh gus sgilean Gàidhlig a neartachadh

Bha mu 27 neach òg a’ gleusadh an sgilean Gàidhlig tro spòrs an t-seachdain seo aig campa ball-coise Gàidhlig FC Sonas.

Bha Sgioba na Gàidhlig aig Comhairle na Gàidhealtachd toilichte obrachadh còmhla ri FC Sonas gus campa ball-coise air a’ bhlàr a-muigh a chur air dòigh ann an saor-làithean na sgoile, eadar an 19 – 21 dhen Dàmhair, ann am Pàirc a’ Bhucht ann an Inbhir Nis.

Thuirt an Comhairliche Iain MacFhionnlaigh, Cathraiche Comataidh Foghlaim na Comhairle: “Tha campa ball-coise na Dàmhair air a chumail sa chiad àite gus cothrom a thoirt do sgoilearan an cuid sgilean Gàidhlig a neartachadh agus a bharrachd air a sin bidh na comasan ball-coise aca a’ tighinn air adhart. Thathar ag aithneachadh cuideachd gu bheil spòrs is cleasan corporra cudromach airson slàinte chorporra agus inntinn. Tha an campa seo a’ comharrachadh gu bheil cleasan air a’ bhlàr a-muigh a’ tilleadh, gu faiceallach, fo stiùir Sgioba na Gàidhlig.”

Tha FC Sonas a’ togail air an obair a rinn iad rè glasadh COVID-19 nuair a fhuair iad coimisean bhon Chomhairle gus sia bhidiothan seachdaineach a chruthachadh airson an sgaoileadh gu 22 sgoil air feadh sgìre na Gàidhealtachd. Bha na bhidiothan a’ toirt dùbhlain ball-coise dhan teaghlach gu lèir agus cha robh uidheamachd a dhìth ach ball-coise agus nithean àbhaisteach a bhiodh mun taigh co-dhiù.

Fhuair FC Sonas cùmhnant cuideachd gus seata bhidiothan a chruthachadh a bha ag amas air slàinte is sunnd agus a thèid a sgaoileadh gu sgoiltean an ath theirm. Tha iad cuideachd air com-pàirt a ghabhail ann an grunn sheiseanan ceist is freagairt le sgoilearan ann am foghlam tron Ghàidhlig, le taic bho Sgioba na Gàidhlig.

Dh’fhastaidh Calum Fearghasdan agus Donaidh Forbais – stèidheadairean FC Sonas – dà choidse ùr gus cuideachadh leis a’ champa. Is iadsan Alex Andrews agus Lewis MacNeacail a bhios a’ cluiche le Inverness Caledonian Thistle WFC agus sgioba fo aois 17.

Chaidh taic ionmhasail fhaotainn bho Bhòrd na Gàidhlig a bharrachd air Comhairle na Gàidhealtachd. 

Thuirt Steven Kellow, Oifigear Maoineachaidh & Phròiseactan Bhòrd na Gàidhlig: “Tha sinn fìor thoilichte a bhith a’ toirt taic do Champa Ball-coise Sonas FC a tha a’ toirt cothrom do chloinn an cuid sgilean Gàidhlig a chleachdadh ann an suidheachadh spòrsail is tarraingeach.”

Chùm an campa ri stiùiridhean Riaghaltas na h-Alba agus stiùiridhean Comann Ball-coise na h-Alba.

Football camp helps strengthen Gaelic language skills

Around 27 young people were practising their Gaelic language skills through sport this week at the FC Sonas Gaelic Medium Football camp.

Highland Council’s Gaelic Team was delighted to work with FC Sonas on the outdoor Gaelic Medium football camp which was held during the school holidays from 19 – 21 October at the Bught Park in Inverness.

Councillor John Finlayson, Chair of the Council’s Education Committee said: “The October football camp is held primarily as an opportunity to enhance and strengthen Gaelic language skills as well as the children’s football abilities. There is also recognition of the role that sports and physical activity plays in ensuring both physical and mental health. The camp marks a tentative return to Gaelic Medium outdoor activities, as organised by the Council’s Gaelic Team.”

FC Sonas are building on the work they engaged in during the COVID-19 lockdown when they were commissioned by the Council to produce 6 weekly videos which were distributed to 22 schools throughout the Highland area. The videos set weekly football challenges for the whole family to take part in and the only equipment required was a football and some basic household items.

FC Sonas were also contracted to produce a further set of videos focusing on health and well-being which will be distributed to schools during the next school term. They have also engaged in  several online question and answer sessions with Gaelic Medium pupils, organised by the Council’s Gaelic Team.

Calum Ferguson and Donnie Forbes - FC Sonas founders - recruited 2 new coaches to help with the camp, Alex Andrews and Lewis Nicolson who play with Inverness Caledonian Thistle WFC and under 17 team respectively.

Financial assistance was received from Bòrd na Gàidhlig in addition to The Highland Council.

Steven Kellow, Bòrd na Gàidhlig Funding & Projects Officer said: "We're delighted to be supporting the FC Sonas Football Camp, which is providing children with the opportunity to use their Gaelic skills in a fun and engaging setting.”

The camp adhered to Scottish Government guidelines as well as those recommended by the SFA (Scottish Football Association).