The HSE’s National Cancer Control Programme and Healthy Ireland have renewed their partnership with the GAA and Kellogg’s GAA Cúl Camps to encourage children, coaches, volunteers and families to stay safe in the sun this summer.
The Healthy Ireland SunSmart campaign will be promoted across Cúl Camps throughout the country over the coming weeks, with a focus on building simple, lasting habits around skin protection during outdoor sport and activity.
Thousands of children will take part in the camps this summer, spending long days outdoors in what is often their first structured sporting experience. The partnership is designed to make sun protection as much a part of the preparation for activity as a gumshield, helmet, water bottle or boots.
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in Ireland, with more than 11,000 cases diagnosed each year. Rates are continuing to rise, and research shows that sunburn in childhood can increase the risk of developing skin cancer later in life.
The SunSmart campaign is built around the 5S’s: Slip on clothing that covers the skin, Slop on broad-spectrum sunscreen, Slap on a wide-brimmed hat, Seek shade, especially between 11 am and 3 pm, and Slide on sunglasses to protect the eyes.
The message is also that protection matters even on cloudy days, as harmful UV rays can still damage skin throughout the summer months.
“Sun protection is essential at GAA Cúl Camps because children spend long hours outdoors; protecting their skin from harmful UV rays not only prevents immediate sunburn but also reduces long-term health risks, ensuring they can enjoy sport safely and build healthy habits for life,””said Jennifer Murnane O’Connor TD, Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy.
GAA President Jarlath Burns said the campaign fitted naturally with the wider duty of care around children taking part in Gaelic Games.
“We want young people to enjoy being involved in the Kellogg’s GAA Cúl Camps experience, and being SunSmart is a big part of this,” he said.
“Just as important as wearing a gumshield for football and a helmet for hurling and camogie, we know that we should protect our skin every time we go out to train and play.”
“By instilling this message among players when they are young, we can help them build a healthy habit to protect themselves long into the future, and we are delighted to partner with the HSE and Healthy Ireland on this initiative.”
As part of the partnership, Kellogg’s GAA Cúl Camps coordinators and coaches will again receive SunSmart education and resources to help them reinforce the message with children during camps and activities nationwide.
“We know that establishing good sun protection habits early on is important, as behaviours learned at a young age are more likely to be adopted for life,” added Maria McEnery, Cancer Prevention Officer with the HSE’s National Cancer Control Programme.
“We encourage everyone to protect their skin and enjoy the outdoors by following the simple Healthy Ireland SunSmart 5S’s.”
The initiative is a good example of how sport can serve as a setting for broader public health messaging. Children are active, engaged, and learning in a familiar environment, while coaches and volunteers have the chance to reinforce practical behaviours that can carry over into family and community life.
More information about the campaign is available on the SunSmart hub at hse.ie/sunsmart and via #SunSmart on social media.
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Image Credit: GAA and Sam Barnes, Sportsfile.com
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