This article is from page 27 of the 2008-02-05 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 27 JPG
A WEST Clare man is pioneering a campaign to take alcohol out of Soa F
Richard Hall from Doonaha West has begun the campaign by writing to the GAA, local print media and the providers of sports wear.
The gold pin pioneer maintains that something must be done to guard and protect children from the “perils of alcohol’.
“We are fully aware of the problems of alcohol in our society, in particu- lar the problems that face our young children day after day. As a society we must do all we can to protect our
younger generation. We are going to need them for our own welfare, in the future,” he said.
In his appeal to the GAA Mr Hall proposed that the sporting organisa- tion would display the Pioneer Total Abstinence Association’s (PTAA) emblem in Croke Park, as close as possible to the Guinness advertising.
He also suggested that the emblem be incorporated on to team shirts when requested by players wishing to wear it.
“There are many GAA players and team trainers/managers who are members of the PTAA and, as members of the Pioneer Associa- tion, | am positive that they would
be very pleased to see the benefits of membership of that organisation be- ing promoted to young and upcom- ing players and stars of the future,” he said.
“Why does the GAA not create a pioneer cup competition in football and hurling for both male and female players? The stipulation being that in order to play for a pioneer team, the player would have to be a member of the Pioneer Association,’ he said.
Mr Hall has also contacted the two largest producers of GAA jerseys. He asked about the viability of putting the pioneer emblem on the jersey at the manufacturing stage.
“If not from a financial point of
view then would you consider such a Suggestion as being a means of pro- moting the benefits of alcohol absti- nence. You could possibly produce a small number of shirts with the pioneer emblem on at the outset, to judge the market.”
“Your promotion of the Pioneer Association would be seen, I am pos- itive, aS a genuine step in the right direction in combating alcohol prob- lems amongst the youth of today and such action could only enhance the opinion of your customers in regards to your products.”
He has also approached a soft drinks company about sponsoring a pioneer cup.