Off the Booze & On the Ball is back!
'Off the Booze & On the Ball' - the GAA unique health initiative - is back again following on from a successful first season in 2012.
Once more GAA members (players and non-players) are being asked to 'Take the Pint Sized Challenge' and kick-start their 2013 New Year on a healthy footing by abstaining from alcohol for a month and ensuring they engage in some fun, healthy activities during that time. An added incentive is that participants can seek sponsorship during their month of will-power to go towards their GAA club.
Last year representatives from over 200 clubs registered at www.gaa.ie/asap where they received an information pack with advice on sensible drinking, recommended weekly activity levels and a healthy diet. They also received a sponsorship card (which must be signed by your Club ASAP Officer or Secretary) to allow them collect money from family and friends. All clubs that register will be in with a chance of winning a special prize.
The Currin club from Monaghan was the Ulster winners in 2012. Their 15 participants raised a total of €2,057.50 and used it to buy training gear including new footballs, training bids, water bottles, tackle bags and more. In the Kinvara Club, the U16 hurlers took the lead from their seniors who took up the ‘Pint Sized Challenge’ and decided to go ‘Off the Fizz and On the Ball’ by giving up fizzy drinks for the month. Their panel of 19 members alone raised €802.
Some clubs opted to take up the challenge in February as they hadn't reconvened in time for January and that option is open again in 2013.
Colin Regan, the GAA Community & Health Promotion Manager, said: “Our aim with ‘Off the Booze and On the Ball’ is to enhance the positive health promotion our clubs already engage in week in week out while putting out a subtle message about the importance of looking at our alcohol intake as part of a holistic approach to health and well-being. The success of the 2012 campaign was largely due to the work of our 32 County ASAP Officers, the willingness of County Boards to promote it, and the enthusiasm with which clubs embraced it. We hope it proves a bigger success in 2013”.
If you would like more information on 'Off the Booze & On the Ball' or your club would like to 'Take the Pint Sized Challenge' in 2013 fill out the registration form below to receive your Information Pack and Sponsorship card.
To register for Off the Booze & On the Ball 2013, click on the link below:
https://docs.google.com/a/gaa.ie/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dF8xZnNGMThUTk02dTl3dDJ6dUUycHc6MQ#gid=0
