LIDL IRELAND ANNOUNCE 26 SCHOOLS CONFIRMED FOR THE #SERIOUSSUPPORT SCHOOLS PROGRAMME

Lidl’s #SeriousSupport Schools Programme sees an investment of over €120,000 to local schools

Lidl Ireland are pleased to announce the 26 schools, one in every county in the Republic of Ireland, have been chosen to participate in its #SeriousSupport Schools Programme for the 2022-23 school year. This represents an investment of over €120,000 in local schools across the country.

Supported by the Ladies Gaelic Football Association (LGFA) and delivered by the Youth Sport Trust and their specially trained athlete mentors, the programme is designed to educate teenage girls about the positive mental and physical health benefits of playing ladies Gaelic football. The programme also aims to increase participation and reduce drop-out rates for teenagers in the sport. Twenty-six schools across Ireland will have the opportunity to benefit from the programme along with receiving a brand-new set of jerseys for their school team.

The athlete mentors, all of whom are current or former inter county ladies Gaelic football players, are committed to using sport to transform the lives of young people. The mentors will introduce students to the programme’s values of Respect, Trust, Responsibility and Recognition.  Taking place over the course of 2 visits to each school, the programme will be delivered via workshops and team-building sessions.

Boasting an impressive array of achievements, the stellar line up of LGFA intercounty players delivering this year’s programme are; Anne Marie Doran (Wicklow), Carla Rowe (Dublin), Eilis Ward (Donegal), Laurie Ryan (Clare), Méabh de Búrca (Galway), Orlagh Farmer (Cork), Samantha Lambert (Tipperary), and Therese Scott (Monaghan).

President of the LGFA, Mícheál Naughton, commented: “It’s wonderful to be in a position to confirm the schools selected for Lidl’s #SeriousSupport schools programme. We look forward with keen interest to following the journey of these schools as they gain invaluable insights and experience from our inter-county stars, who are working once again as athlete mentors. The benefits of the Lidl #SeriousSupport schools programme are wide-ranging and of vital importance to our young students, who will develop key life skills at such an important time in their lives. Who better to learn from than our athlete mentors, who have been through so much themselves as adolescents and into their adult lives. I would like to acknowledge the superb input from Lidl Ireland and Youth Sport Trust in a programme that has already benefited so many young people.”  

This year, the programme aims to include a wider representation of lower ranking schools for Income Affecting Children’s Deprivation (IACD) in a bid to level the playing field for disadvantaged areas and to support schools to build healthier, happier and more resilient students.

Joe Mooney, Senior Partnerships Manager for Lidl Ireland and Northern Ireland said;

“At Lidl, we’re delighted to recommence the #SeriousSupport Schools Programme nationwide for another school year. It has proven to be one of the most impactful initiatives we have delivered in partnership with the LGFA since the sponsorship with the association began in 2016.  

Working in conjunction with the LGFA, Youth Sport Trust, and our team of athlete mentors, we are committed to supporting the ladies Gaelic football and wider sporting journeys of young girls in Ireland through affirmative action and education which will hopefully see them continue to participate into their adult lives.

I’m delighted to announce 26 schools selected to benefit from the programme this school year and I’d like to thank all of our loyal shoppers who took the time to nominate schools.”

In January, Lidl Ireland announced a four-year extension of its award-winning sponsorship of the LGFA, that will ultimately mark a decade of #SeriousSupport. The extension will represent an investment of €10 million in 10 years of sponsorship by the retailer.

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS:

To date:

 

• 68 schools have taken part in the #SeriousSupport Schools Programme
• Over 200 schools have received new jerseys and/or equipment
• Over 500 clubs have received new jerseys and/or equipment
• Over 200 clubs have received cash donations

 

About the Youth Sport Trust

The Youth Sport Trust is the UK and Ireland’s leading charity for improving young people’s wellbeing through sport and play. It empowers young people and equips educators to transform lives. Founded in 1995, it works with approximately 20,000 schools and inspires Changemakers to build a sense of belonging. Its vision is to create a future where every child enjoys the life-changing benefits of play and sport. Visit the YST website for ideas, tips and information www.youthsporttrust.org

 

Complete list of winning schools participating in the Lidl Ireland #SeriousSupport programme:

Carlow	Tyndall College
Cavan	Breifne College
Clare	Coláiste Muire Ennis
Cork	Coláiste Pobail Naomh Mhuire Buttevant
Donegal	Coláiste Colmcille Ballyshannon
Dublin	Our Lady of Mercy College, Beaumont
Galway	Dominican College Galway
Kerry	Presentation Secondary School Listowel
Kildare	Piper’s Hill College
Kilkenny	Grennan College
Laois	Mountmellick Community School
Leitrim	Carrick On Shannon Community School
Limerick	Coláiste Iósaef Kilmallock
Longford	Moyne Community School
Louth	St Oliver’s Community College
Mayo	Davitt College
Meath	Beaufort College
Monaghan	Largy College
Offaly	Tullamore College
Roscommon	Roscommon Community College
Sligo	Mercy College
Tipperary	Comeragh College
Waterford	Meánscoil San Nioclás Rinne
Westmeath	St Finian’s College Mullingar
Wexford	Coláiste Bríde Enniscorthy
Wicklow	Coláiste Chill Mhantáin

 

 

#LGFASupport Schools Programme

One post primary / second level school from each of Antrim, Armagh, Derry, Down, Fermanagh and Tyrone has been selected to participate in the #LGFASupport Schools Programme and will also receive a set of new jerseys for the school.

The schools are as follows:

Antrim	St Patrick’s College, Ballymena
Armagh	St Catherine’s College, Armagh
Derry	Gaelcholáiste Dhoire
Down	Assumption Grammar School
Fermanagh	St Aidan’s Derrylin
Tyrone	Holy Cross College