Applications are now open for GAA Clubs to apply to be part of the Association’s Healthy Clubs Project for 2022 and 2023.

The aim of the project is to harness the potential of the GAA club as a setting in which to promote the health and wellbeing of club members, and the wider community.

Almost 300 clubs, with a combined membership of almost 150,000 have already gone through the process and received official recognition by the GAA and its projects partners.

These include Irish Life as corporate social responsibility partners, Healthy Ireland, the HSE, the National Office for Suicide Prevention, and the Tomar Trust.

In an era of unprecedented societal health challenges, the Healthy Club Project delivers evidence-based health promotion information and interventions, backed up by appropriate policies and partnerships.

As part of the process, clubs engage with their members and community before identifying health themes upon which to focus on.

Popular areas have included walking challenges and groups, Social Gaelic Games, Green Clubs and sustainability initiatives, first Aid and CPR training, All-Stars Programmes for children with additional needs, Smoke-Free club environments, Safe Talk suicide awareness training, One Good Coach online module with Jigsaw, youth leadership and healthy eating initiatives.

Participating clubs were instrumental in the Covid-19 Community Response, collecting and delivering essential goods to members of their communities who were cocooning.

“The success and growth of the Healthy Club Project is a testament to the power of volunteerism and the support of our partners,” said GAA president Larry McCarthy.

“Its importance has never been more acute.”

Club recruitment for the next phase of the Healthy Club Project (to commence on Feb 5th 2022) is now open to all interested clubs across the Association until December 3rd at 12pm. There are 200 places available.

Sport for Business Perspective

Bringing wellbeing into communities through the medium of sports clubs is a proven way to increase the health in mind and body of our communities. The success of the Healthy Club initiative is a model for others to adopt and has featured in the past in the Sport for Business Sport for Social Good Annual Report, the next edition of which will be published in February 2022.

 

 

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Sport for Business Partners