The GAA and Age Friendly Ireland—the national organisation delivering the government’s vision of an Age Friendly Ireland—have today announced a new partnership to enhance the GAA experience for older members and supporters.
In collaboration with Age Friendly Programme Managers, the GAA will invite several of their county grounds across the four provinces to participate in an accessibility improvement programme.
The programme will focus on accessible parking, toilets, viewing areas, and improved mobility throughout stadiums, including safe and easy access and exit.
In 2022, Croke Park became the world’s first Age Friendly Stadium, following a four-stage process aligned with the WHO’s Global Network for Age-Friendly Cities and Communities.
Kingspan Breffni Park has also been recognised for its accessible facilities and the age-friendly initiatives led by the Cavan GAA Health & Wellbeing Committee.
The Age Friendly Ireland Shared Service will offer technical expertise, resources, staffing support, and communications to embed an age-friendly ethos across GAA operations. Rooted in community values, the partnership will also seek to enhance volunteering opportunities that deliver strong social benefits for older persons.
“For generations, older GAA fans have filled the stands, followed their counties across the country, and passed their love of the games down through families and communities.,” said Meath GAA Legend and Age Friendly Ireland Ambassador, Sean Boylan.
“I have no doubt that this partnership will provide an improved experience for older patrons and ensure that the vital social networks that Gaelic games provide older members of our communities are sustained.”
The partnership will also seek to capture some of the incredible work undertaken by many GAA clubs and counties in serving the needs of their older members, be that through the likes of the Irish Life Healthy Clubs programme, the GAA Social Initiative and more.
Clubs such as Westmeath’s Rosemount GAA were last year awarded first prize at the National Age Friendly Recognition and Achievement Awards for their Social Initiative’s success in offering activities and events for older persons ‘specifically designed to enrich their lives and respect the important contribution they have made and continue to make to community life.’
“We know in the GAA that we are standing on the shoulders of those who came before us,” said GAA President Jarlath Burns.
“We have so much to learn from our older generations, and they have so much to contribute to our great Association. I believe this partnership will support our counties in making our grounds more age-friendly and will shine a light on the incredible efforts our volunteers make to ensure we live up to our mission of ensuring as many people as possible participate in Gaelic games and culture, for as long as possible.”
Further Reading for Sport for Business members:
Marking AIB’s 10th Season of GAA Football Championship Sponsorship
SPORT FOR BUSINESS PERSPECTIVE
Looking after the needs of all membersis a measure of an organisation and while sport so often focuses on youth, making sure things are done right through a full lifetime is to be applauded.
WHAT’S UP NEXT?
Our Thursday Interview on April 17th is with Des O’Mahoney, Marketing Director of Centra for insight on the partnership
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