The clash of the ash could soon be replaced by the sound of the samba if a new initiative by the GAA proves to be a success.

GAA bosses have come out in support of a move by Gort hurling club to involve more non-nationals and create a more inclusive environment.

The scheme involves the creation of a new part-time position of Club/School Officer with the task of integrating newcomers from all ethnic backgrounds.

The South Galway town, a hurling stronghold which has won five county senior titles and produced All-Ireland winners such as Sylvie Linnane, John Commins and Pearse Piggott, has a large Brazilian population.

It is estimated that around 600 of the town's population of 2,400 are from Brazil, while there are people from other countries as well.

The club has already seen the benefits of extending its membership and one of the most promising young hurlers in the club is 12-year old Leonardo Gomes from Brazil.

The club, which won the last of its senior titles in 1983, set about ways of involving the various ethnic communities in its activities, with former All-Ireland winners Commins and Piggott leading the way along with local national school principal Francis O'Connor, himself an accomplished hurler for many years.

"We wanted to see how the club could be more open and maximise the time given to these newcomers who want to play hurling.

"Presently, we have children from Brazil playing hurling with the national school and we now hope that they will continue to play the game with the local club when they finish their education here. "We went to Damien Coleman, the Connacht Director of Hurling, and in turn to John Tobin, the Connacht GAA Development Officer," said O'Connor, who is principal of Scoil Eoin in the town.

Croke Park then agreed to match the funds put up by the club for the new position and a six-year commitment has been given by the club and the GAA to the venture.

The scheme will be launched at Gort's clubhouse next Monday (May 12) at 6pm by Nickey Brennan and Paraic Duffy and the position will then be advertised.

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