Irish Life GAA Healthy Clubs Programme opens to new applicants

The Irish Life GAA Healthy Club programme has opened expressions of interest to new clubs. The next phase will commence in March 2024 with a national orientation day in Croke Park. (Click HERE to register your club’s interest.)

Over 400 delegates attended the Irish Life GAA Healthy Club Conference in Croke Park recently, which marked the 10^th anniversary of the popular and impactful programme. The jam-packed agenda saw Dr. Eilis Lawlor reveal the key findings and insights from the recent independent evaluation of the Healthy Clubs programme, including the programme’s positive impact on participants and the GAA volunteers who deliver it on behalf of their members and communities. Full details on this report, which also reveals its significant monetary contribution to Irish society, will be launched on December 14^th.

Aidan O’Mahony (Kerry), Neil McManus (Antrim) and Eimear Kelly (Clare) took part in a wide-ranging panel discussion that explored mental health, female participation on sport, and inclusion, as well as their experiences as club and county players and ambassadors. All three also reflected on the volunteers who helped them achieve their goals on and off the pitch. Workshops explored the experiences of four Healthy Clubs as they reflected on their experiences of the programme: Nenagh Eire Óg (Tipperary), Lámh Dhearg (Antrim), Trim (Meath)and Carrigallen (Leitrim).

The Irish Life GAA Healthy Club programme, proudly supported by Irish Life, Healthy Ireland, the HSE, National Office for Suicide Prevention, and the Tomar Trust, has grown from a small pilot in 2013 involving just 16 clubs to engaging 450 clubs by 2023. The Healthy Club journey takes 18 months to complete and requires that clubs appoint a Healthy Club officer and project team. Clubs then follow a seven-step process to become a healthy club, including documenting their journey via an online Healthy Clubs Portal. Once they gain accreditation as a Healthy Club, they have the option to proceed to Silver or Gold based on each club’s capacity and willingness.

To apply to join the Irish Life GAA Healthy clubs programme, clubs must fill out an expression of interest form at https://healthyclubs.gaa.ie/. Clubs will be then required to complete the subsequent application form, which requires club secretary sign off. Applications will close on January 5^th; all steps must be complete and submitted by this date.

Click HERE to register your club’s expression of interest to be considered for Phase 4 of the Healthy Club Project.

For more information regarding the Irish Life GAA Healthy Clubs Programme please visit https://www.gaa.ie/my-gaa/community-and-health/