John West, sponsors of the GAA’s under-15 annual Féile Peile na nÓg in football and Féile na nGael in camogie and hurling competitions have announced details of an innovative nutrition programme for young athletes.
The company also revealed the extension of its Féile sponsorship until 2025 and a partnership with SuperValu to promote John West Féile in stores across the country.
It is a great way for the Gaelic Games Associations to link their different sponsors and create ties that will bind them to similar continued relationships.
John West came on board as sponsor of the competition in 2016, as reported in Sport for Business at the time. The competitions represent one of the biggest underage sporting events in Europe.
A new ‘Eat Strong Go Strong’ strength and resilience through natural nutrition message is part of a campaign to build awareness among young athletes of how and when to refuel, particularly before and after matches and training.
Throughout its sponsorship of Féile, John West has focused on the importance of natural nutrition in fuelling young athletes, whilst encouraging children to participate in Gaelic games.
This year’s John West Féile na nGael and Féile Peile na nÓg national finals will both take place at the Connacht GAA Centre of Excellence at Bekan, Co Mayo on Saturday, June 24th and Saturday, July 1st.
Regional finals in all four codes for counties outside of division one will also take place on the last Saturday in June and the first Saturday of July at venues nationwide.
Leading sports dietician, Noreen Roche, who has been involved with numerous All-Ireland winning teams, said nutrition intake before and after matches and training is critical to the physical growth and development of young athletes.
“Vitamin D, natural protein and leucine are key factors in maintaining good health amongst young athletes,” she said.
“Intake of Vitamin D facilitates the normal functioning of muscles, helps build and maintain healthy bones, and supports the immune system.”
“Proteins are the building blocks within the body responsible for maintenance and repair of tissue, while leucine is used by skeletal muscles to provide energy during exercise.”
“Proper fuelling before and after matches and training is key to optimising the physical growth and development of young athletes.”
This is the eighth year of John West’s sponsorship of Féile, which brings together thousands of young hurlers, camogie players and Gaelic footballers in a celebration of the GAA’s community ethos through underage competition.
“John West Féile gives us the opportunity to highlight the importance of sport in children’s lives and of natural nutrition in their diets so they can refuel in a manner similar to their inter-county heroes, said John West Ireland Head of Marketing, Anne-Claire Monde.
“We have created a range of products to support active families in a contemporary way whilst consistently delivering the health benefits of natural protein and natural vitamin D.”
Uachtarán CLG, Larry McCarthy, said John West Féile is an integral part of the GAA calendar.
“It nurtures an enthusiasm for our games, where friendships and memories are made,” he said.
“Generations have experienced the joy of being a part of Féile na nGael and Féile Peil na nÓg, and I look forward to seeing this tradition continue this year.”
“Our thanks to John West for their support in the promotion of this competition and to the national organising committee for their work on John West Féile 2023.”
“Players will make new friends and reconnect with old friends,” added Ladies’ Gaelic Football Association President, Mícheál Naughton.
“I hope their experience will be positive, both on and off the field, and pay tribute to the volunteers who make such a valuable contribution to make John West Féile so special,” concluded Hilda Breslin, Uachtarán, The Camogie Association.
