Irish Life is to invest €1million in the GAA’s Healthy Club Project. The pilot initiative launched in 2013 and so far completed in 18 clubs around the country will now be extended over the next three years across the island of Ireland.
The GAA has over 2,000 clubs within the Association and its reach into local communities is unsurpassed.
Having the financial muscle to deliver both physical and mental health benefits in communities through a trusted source and with a subtle ‘tone of voice’ has the power to be transformational.
The investment has been made as part of Irish Life’s Corporate Social Responsibility programme to celebrate the company’s 75th anniversary of business in Ireland.
Difference
“We set out to find a project where our financial involvement would make a real difference and our staff would have an opportunity to contribute their time and talent,” said Billy Kyle, CEO of Irish Life.
“I believe in the GAA’s Healthy Club initiative we have found such a project. A measure of the project is that the GAA and Healthy Ireland are fully committed to rolling it out in every community in the country. We are delighted to be in a position to make that a reality in a far shorter timeframe than might otherwise have been possible.”
“The GAA is already a significant player in the health of the country by virtue of its games and I believe the Healthy Club initiative will bring a totally new dimension to the organisation’s involvement in health.”
“The initiative tackles health in its broadest possible definition and uses the unique medium of the GAA clubs to disseminate healthcare programmes and information to the wider community.”
Flagship
The Healthy Club Project is one of the GAA’s flagship community initiatives and is being rolled out in partnership with the Irish health sector, including Healthy Ireland, the HSE, and the National Office for Suicide Prevention. The initial commitment by Irish Life is for a three year period which will see the scheme move from its current pilot stage to a phased national roll-out making it available to clubs across the 32 counties.
Health Minister Leo Varadkar was present to formally launch the investment and added:
“The GAA is a phenomenal organisation present in every parish in Ireland with a reach into all sectors of society.”
“It already makes an enormous contribution to the nation’s health and wellbeing. I am delighted that they are willing now to do even more. These days we all know how important it is to look after our and mental and physical fitness, so it’s great to see the Healthy Clubs project going nationwide.”
“The pilot stage involving 18 clubs has already been a big success. It’s encouraging to see the GAA, with its long tradition of games and exercise, acknowledging the need to look after the mind as well as the body. I would urge communities across Ireland to get involved and see how they can benefit.”
“It also fits in really well with the Government’s own Healthy Ireland initiative, which wants people to stay well and to feel well. I particularly want to pay tribute to the volunteers who are making this project work.”
Read Sport for Business’ exclusive interview with GAA Community and Health Manager, Colin Regan.
Image Credit: Inpho.ie
