Youghal GAA’S Lodgers “Czech” Out
By Christy Parker Photo: Michael Hussey ( YoughalOnline.com)
Timmy Mason (centre standing) Club Aras barman pictured with eight of the nine disability runners stranded in Youghal GAA club: Ivo Musil, Jiri Skorpik, Mirek Novak, Vaclav Marek, Martin Sidl, Jaromir Smisek, Jiri Jilek and Jarda Bures
Nine members of a multinational disability group returned home after an unexpected stint as lodgers at Youghal GAA’ Club Aras headquarters. The group became stranded in the town when their bus broke down shortly after arriving in Ireland to participate in a series of relay runs to raise disability awareness.
The nine, all Czechs, were part of the ‘European Association for Special Social Groups’ consisting of 104 runners and carers and comprising teams from locations in Hungary, Czech Republic, Poland, Romania and Ukraine.
A mixture of physically and mentally disabled and largely from deprived backgrounds, they have been engaged in a 10-year project with unwieldy title, ‘Integrative Meetings of Friends’, since 1999. Every summer they run a series of 2 km relays in European countries, through which they seek to “promote broader integration of the disabled into societies, improve mental and physical fitness and develop friendships,” says Austrian Jerzy Chrabek, a 64 year-old remedial worker and tour organiser.
Over time the teams evolve, with participants leaving and being replaced by others. Different countries join and depart also over the years. Accommodation usually consists of a pre-arranged agreement to use sports hall facilities, where the guests employ the inflated mattresses they carry with them.
Bearing a personally signed support letter from President McAleese, ten vans bearing the latest representatives arrived in Rosslare on May 18th for the Irish leg of a three-week tour through Denmark, England, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Holland and Belgium.
Following a run from Waterford to Dungarvan on the day of arrival, the vans departed for an overnight stay in Youghal and anticipated accommodation at Youghal GAA’s headquarters on Magner’s Hill. A misunderstanding in communications by the Town Council however meant no arrangements had been made and neither welcome nor hall was prepared. Youghal Mayor Dave Savage, Youghal GAA Secretary Assumpta Parker and Vice-Chairman Ken Bulman worked feverishly to remedy the situation.
Mayor David Savage and Youghal GAA Vice-Chairman Ken Bulman greet Austrian Jerzy Chrabek and members of the multinational disability group at Youghal GAA Club Aras
Once it was established that the group’s self-acquired insurance arrangements were in order, the headquarters were made available and an embarrassing, not to mention stressful, situation was averted. Mayor Savage, on behalf of the Council, made a large takeaway order from Doyle’s to feed the contingent.
Unfortunately, while their peers continue their tour towards Northern Ireland next day, a broken down van meant the Czechs had to stay behind. An expected two-day sojourn evolved into a week as spare parts became difficult to acquire in Cork. Eventually, with another fortnight hovering on the radar the party decided to fly home, with the van to be collected later. “It was a surprise development but we have been glad to help out. We admire what they are doing and they are most welcome,” says Mr Bulman.
Rumours that the guests would be press-ganged into playing Intermediate hurling have been denied by the GAA, while Waterford selectors are said to have acquired the services of a Deise-Czech translator too late.
Carer Magdelena with Polish participants visit The Church Of The Holy Family during their brief sojourn
‘Integrative Meetings of Friends’s agenda is extremely worthy as it tirelessly strives to hammer down prejudice, fear and apathy. “Disabled people can interact with mainstream society and can contribute enormously to it,” Mr. Chrabek repeats. “All we seek is a fair chance.” Thus far he has promoted that quest through approximately 170 towns across 22 countries and covered 17,000 km of which over 9,000 km has been run. They have had audiences with Pope John Paul II in 2002 and several heads of state have given their writing support. The series is expected to end in summer 2009 in Andorra. Meanwhile Youghal GAA helped nine Czech participants to assimilate very well in 2008.
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