The GAA and the Gaelic Players Association have announced a new series of free mental health education workshops for coaches, extending the reach of the Movember Ahead of the Game programme, which has now engaged more than 18,000 players, parents and coaches.
The online sessions, announced on Monday, will give volunteer coaches practical guidance on recognising mental health difficulties, starting supportive conversations, and directing young players to appropriate support.
The one-hour programme, Know Your Players, is based on research-based mental health literacy training, with past and present inter-county players helping deliver the wider initiative.
Five online sessions have been scheduled between 28 October and 18 February, each running from 7 pm to 8 pm. They are free to attend, but places are limited, and the webinars will not be recorded.
The programme has already established a significant presence in Gaelic games. In its earlier phase, it reached more than 400 clubs across the island, using the influence of recognised sporting figures to encourage conversations about mental fitness.
The latest initiative recognises that coaches often have a particularly important relationship with young people. Their involvement can extend beyond sporting performance into confidence, personal development and wellbeing.
Sport for Business Perspective
The programme is an example of a partnership creating measurable community value beyond traditional sponsorship visibility.
Its strength lies in using an existing network of coaches and clubs rather than establishing a separate delivery structure. The next opportunity is to measure not simply the number of people trained, but whether that training improves confidence, support and early intervention.
It also reinforces the growing importance of safeguarding and wellbeing within the responsibilities of grassroots sporting organisations. Volunteers need practical resources as those expectations increase.
The GAA and the Gaelic Players Association are full members of Sport for Business.
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Image Credit: GAA and Sportsfile
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