The GAA is stepping up the fundraising aspect of its ‘Off the Booze and On the Ball’ initiative as it heads into a fourth year next February.
“We have listened to the clubs who felt that pushing back to one month later than before will give them more time to get behind the idea of a club wide push,” said Colin Regan, the GAA Community and Health Manager.
“The campaign has been a big part of how we tell the story of clubs ability to help in areas of alcohol and substance abuse.”
“The Association had always been strong on the policy side of how to handle situations and help individuals but this gives us a hook to hang the story on and as such it remains an important part of our overall approach to community and health.”
“It gives us an opportunity to focus on lifestyle and performance, the positive side of getting a better handle on drinking, and moves away from being a ‘finger wagging’ exercise.”
“We want to push on in terms of the number of clubs involved and there are a number of initiatives to help that in 2015.”
“There is a new fundraising tool as part of the club registration so that teams or the overall club can use the month to gain sponsorship and raise money.”
“The clubs that raise the most with a minimum of 15 players taking part will have a chance to win a special training session for their group with either Brendan Cummins or Oisin McConville as well as a visit from the Sam Maguire or Liam McCarthy Cup.”
“It will give a club wide incentive to help get a better perspective on what the Off the Booze and On the Ball Campaign is all about.”
Sport is one of the main channels through which the benefits of a more mature relationship with alcohol can be seen in a clear light and campaigns involving the GAA, the Gaelic Players Association, the FAI and Irish Rugby with IRUPA are steadily gaining traction.
The threat of an alcohol ban on sporting sponsorship has taken up most of the column inches on the relationship between the two but the work being done at club and individual level will be of greater benefit in producing an environment within sport where celebration of victory can be about more than beer and bottles.
700 clubs within the GAA currently have a formal drug and alcohol policy in place. It is the case that this number should be higher and it is hoped that the clubs taking part in February’s campaign will see a more long term approach growing out of the once off initiative.
