The Irish Life GAA Healthy Clubs Programme has been named Community Impact/CSR Initiative of the Year at the eir Business Chambers Ireland Awards, recognising more than a decade of work in helping GAA clubs support healthier, more connected communities across the country.

The award was presented at a ceremony in the Dublin Royal Convention Centre on Friday, June 26th, and shines a light on one of the longest-running and most impactful community partnerships in Irish sport.

Launched as a pilot in 2013, the programme has grown into one of Ireland’s largest community wellbeing initiatives. More than 800 Healthy Clubs and over 150,000 unique participants have engaged in activities designed to support physical activity, healthy eating, mental fitness, diversity and inclusion, community development, and substance use awareness.

At its core, the programme is built around the role that GAA clubs play beyond the pitch, as places where people gather, volunteer, support one another and build lasting connections.

Measurable Social Return

The award also recognises the evidence base behind the programme. An independent Social Return on Investment evaluation conducted by Just Economics found that the Irish Life GAA Healthy Clubs Programme delivers almost €50 million in health and wellbeing benefits to Irish society. The same evaluation found a return ratio of 19:1, meaning €19 of value is generated for every €1 invested through financial, volunteer and in-kind support.

That level of measured impact is significant in the context of sport’s wider contribution to public health, community resilience and social inclusion.

Irish Life and the GAA have recently renewed the partnership through to 2030, giving the programme a longer runway to deepen its impact and bring more clubs into the Healthy Clubs network.

The official Healthy Clubs platform describes the initiative as helping GAA clubs support the holistic health of members and the communities they serve, encouraging clubs to identify what they already do well and where they can further improve the experience for everyone who engages with them.

Volunteer Power

“This award is recognition of the incredible commitment shown by GAA clubs, volunteers and communities across Ireland,” said Sarah Kerrigan, Sustainability Manager at Irish Life.

“The success of the Irish Life GAA Healthy Clubs Programme demonstrates how local action can create long-term, meaningful and measurable social impact. We are proud to support a programme that continues to make a real difference to the health and wellbeing of communities nationwide.”

Brid O’Dwyer, GAA National Healthy Club Coordinator, added: “This award is a fantastic recognition of the commitment shown by our clubs, volunteers and communities across Ireland.

“The GAA has always been at the heart of community life, and the Irish Life GAA Healthy Clubs Programme has helped clubs create healthier, more inclusive and more connected communities. We are proud of what has been achieved in partnership with Irish Life and the positive impact the programme continues to have across the country.”

 

Sport for Business Perspective

The award is a strong endorsement of a sponsorship model built less around visibility alone and more around embedded community value.

It is further proof of the breadth of what a club can mean in modern Ireland: a sporting home, a social hub, a health intervention, a volunteer network and a driver of local belonging.

At a time when businesses are increasingly being asked to demonstrate genuine social impact, the Irish Life GAA Healthy Clubs Programme offers a strong example of how a commercial partnership in sport can deliver measurable benefit well beyond the field of play.

 

The GAA and Irish Life are full members of Sport for Business.

If you would like to be part of the Sport for Business community and see your organisation in our content, on our stages, and in the conversation happening every day around the commercial world of Irish Sport, email us today and let’s see what is possible.

Image Credit: Irish Life

ABOUT SPORT FOR BUSINESS

Sport for Business is Ireland’s leading platform focused on the commercial, strategic and societal impact of sport. It connects decision-makers across governing bodies, clubs, brands, agencies, and public institutions through high-quality content, events, and insights.

Sport for Business explores how sport drives economic value, participation, inclusion and national identity, and how your story can be part of ours.

Through analysis, storytelling and convening the sector, it helps leaders understand trends, share best practices, and make better-informed decisions. It positions sport not just as entertainment but as a vital contributor to Ireland’s social and economic fabric.

Find out more about becoming a member today.

Or sign up for our twice-daily bulletins to get a flavour of the material we cover.

Sign up for our News Bulletins here.