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RECRUITMENT FAIRS

Recruitment fairs are the best ways to recruit players for your club, especially the one at the beginning of the school year.  Listed below are items we found are essential to bring to the fair as well as talking points and other advice. 

Remember, these sports are not for everyone!  Think about this event as more of a time to present and educate people about the sports.  Another very important thing to keep in mind is that the students at the fair are looking to join a community to meet new people and make new friends, especially freshmen.

Items to Bring

  • Irish flag (It’s easily recognizable and helps you stand out)

  • Equipment

    • A few hurls (3-4)

    • Sliotars

    • Helmet

    • Footballs

  • Laptop (To play hurling and/or football footage.  I recommend downloading videos in case you don’t have WiFi and I also recommend bringing 2 laptops just in case you’re not near an outlet)

  • Flyers (See attached for CU’s flyers)

  • Tablet or phone for email list (It’s sometimes difficult to read people’s handwriting so I have people type their emails into a list on my tablet or phone)

  • Notepad and pen as backup

  • Club jerseys and/or t shirts (If you don’t have those yet don’t worry!  Wear another club’s shirt or something Irish)

  • Tape

  • Tent (if it’s outside, helps make you look more organized and legit)

  • Water (you’re going to be talking a lot!)

  • Stickers or business cards (if you have them)

Engagement

It is extremely important to engage people at this event.  I promise you will not recruit anyone if you are just sitting behind your table waiting for people to come talk to you (we’ve learned the hard way). 
 

  • Initiate the conversation.  It shows you are confident and people will be more willing to hear what you have to say

  • Have at least 1 person stand in front of your table to engage people walking by.  They should walk around tapping a sliotar off a hurl, soloing, or juggling a football in between conversations

  • If someone seems interested offer them your hurl and sliotar and challenge them to solo the sliotar

  • “Accidentally” drop/roll a sliotar or football to someone.  Run over and say sorry and most likely they will ask you what sport you play

Talking Points

  • “Wanna learn about the oldest and fastest sport in the world?”

  • “Hey!  Wanna learn about an awesome Irish sport?”

  • “Wanna see what ice hockey originated from?”

  • “I know hurling looks dangerous, but you are actually more likely to get a serious injury playing soccer.”

  • “There are no tryouts, no team fees, and we provide you with all the equipment and coaching.”

  • “If you’re interested in playing our new player clinic is (insert date).”

  • “I know it looks difficult, but everyone on the team was a beginner at some point.”  (Be careful with this one because some people may find it comforting that a lot of players are beginners while it might turn away the more competitive ones)

  • “We play other college teams a few times a year, once at the fall regional tournament and at the national tournament Memorial day weekend.”

  • “Our team is open to anyone and everyone who is interested in playing!”

 

  • Hurling is the oldest and fastest field sport in the world

  • Hurling is like a mix of baseball, hockey and lacrosse

  • Gaelic Football is like a mix between soccer and rugby

  • Players in Ireland are all amateurs, that all have full time jobs

  • The club is co-ed

  • You don’t have to be Irish to play

  • You don’t need any experience or have played other sports in order to join us

Other Advice

  • We found that what helped us get the first few women on our team was that there was a girl at our booth

  • If you have the space and enough people have a small puck around

  • Joke around and, most importantly, have fun!

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