On June 7th, Power Teachers Africa had the pleasure of spending an inspiring day in Entebbe alongside ten Irish volunteer Gaelic (Irish) football coaches from University College Dublin Volunteer Overseas (UCDVO). The group was led by Fintan Ryan and joined by Professor Joel Rookwood, one of their lecturers.
Representing Power Teachers Africa were: Co-Founder Margo O’Sullivan, Communications and Advocacy Officer Marie Rita Asiimwe, and Technology and Innovations Officer Edgar Wamala. This visit marks the beginning of an exciting partnership between Power Teachers Africa, Simba Wolfhounds—the first and only GAA-registered club in Africa—and UCDVO.
Over the course of a month-long volunteer placement, the Irish coaches will work closely with local schools, training teachers to coach Gaelic football and directly engaging with students, with a strong emphasis on girls’ participation. The initiative also includes integrating movement-based pedagogy into classroom activities to enhance learning experiences.
The day began with a warm welcome and orientation session led by Margo O’Sullivan, alongside Simba Wolfhounds representatives Debbie Walsh, Gilbert Atibuni, and Annette Namayanja. Together, they provided an insightful briefing on Ugandan culture, the local education system, safeguarding practices, and the missions of both Simba Wolfhounds and Power Teachers Africa.
In the afternoon, the group visited the African Children’s Choir School in Entebbe. The visit included a heartwarming interaction with the school’s staff and students, capped off by an extraordinary musical performance.
The highlight of the day came when students from the school—some of whom have been learning Gaelic football—took to the field to play a friendly match against the UCDVO team. It was a spirited game filled with joy and camaraderie. Edgar Wamala, playing Gaelic football for the first time, delighted everyone by scoring the opening goal of the match.
This enriching day not only showcased the power of cultural exchange through sport and education but also marked the beginning of a meaningful collaboration that will continue to impact teachers and students across Uganda.
