The Gaelic Players Association and Halifax are delighted to announce Galway star Alan Kerins as the recipient of the inaugural GPA Halifax Fair Play Award and brand ambassador for Gaelic Performance.

Kerins was nominated for both GPA Team of The Year and an All Star hurling award for his endeavours with Galway this season, a season in which he performed with distinction and without incurring any sanctions from referees. His display against Kilkenny, where he scored four points from play, was most notable.

However, it is Kerins’ remarkable activities off the field which brought him to the attention of the GPA’s Fair Play Committee and marked him apart from many of the front-runners for this honour in 2007.

Kerins is founder of the ‘Alan Kerins African Projects’ charity which is spearheading a range of vital projects and services helping to improve the lives of some of the most impoverished and vulnerable people on earth. Kerins, who until recently was a dual star with his county, has raised over €750,000 through his charity foundation since its creation in 2005 and he has skillfully harnessed his profile as a major GAA talent to advance the most worthy cause of poverty and deprivation in Africa.

An inspiration on and off the field, Kerins will receive a cheque from Halifax for €15,000 towards his mortgage. Kerins will also take on the role of Brand Ambassador for Gaelic Performance for 2008. Established in 2005 by Monaghan Footballer, Dermot McArdle, Gaelicperformance camps gives children across the country the opportunity to develop their skills and train with the best coaches in Gaelic games . Over the past three years as Ireland’s only residential Gaelic summer camp, it has had huge success with over 450 children from 22 different counties attending. With the support of Halifax as title sponsor, Gaelicperformance has also developed 3D coaching software which will revolutionise coaching Gaelic Games across the country. This 3D software will allow coaches to create animated drills, share tactics and mimic key moments from top games. For any coach preparing for training sessions, this software will also be an invaluable tool, allowing them the flexibility to e-mail drills, tactics and game plans to the team and swop best practices with other coaches around the country. Free Trial Versions of 3D Coach and information about Gaelicperformance camps can be found at www.gaelicperformance.com

Speaking at the announcement of this award Gabriel Bannigan, Head of Retail and Intermediary, Bank of Scotland (Ireland) said, “Halifax are proud to sponsor the Fair Play Award and support a most deserving recipient like Alan. We recognise the dedication and commitment Alan has shown and the pivotal role he has played in Galway through his hurling and off the field, through his charity work. His significant achievements make him an excellent choice as Brand Ambassador for Gaelic Performance and we are delighted to support a most deserving recipient like Alan.”

Also, GPA Chief Executive, Dessie Farrell said “We are delighted to be able to honour Galway star Alan Kerins for his wonderful commitment on and off the field this year. As a long time dual performer, Alan is a credit to club and county and delivered another outstanding season for the Galway hurlers this year with an exemplary disciplinary record. Alan’s charity work is inspirational and he is a most worthy recipient of this inaugural award. I believe the Fair Play Award is a very positive development for the image of Gaelic games and I would like to thank Halifax for supporting this scheme. I would also like to acknowledge Gaelicperformance for their excellent initiative, which will be a valuable support tool to coaches across the country.”