Clubs invited to apply for Healthy Club Project (Phase 2)

Following on from the successful completion of Phase 1 of the GAA's Healthy Club Project (HCP), we are delighted to announce that the project will expand from 18 clubs and is now open to a further 32 clubs.

At least one club from each county will be selected to participate in this exciting opportunity. Expressions of interest are now open to interested clubs until the 29th of January.

The HCP is a new way of looking at health in the context of the GAA. It was created in 2013 to better support clubs all over Ireland and beyond in responding to and supporting the health and wellbeing of their members and the wider community they serve.

Ireland is concerned with transforming the health of the nation and there is no better time for GAA clubs to take advantage of this unique opportunity and set a positive example. GAA clubs already contribute to the health and wellbeing of their members by providing opportunities to develop their physical, social, emotional, and psychological health.

The HCP aims to help GAA clubs identify what they are already doing well, identify areas where they can or would like to improve, and empower them to ensure that everyone who engages with their club benefits from the experience in a health-enhancing way.

All clubs are encouraged to get involved and enjoy the numerous benefits including exclusive access to Healthy Club resources, the potential to increase membership, better engagement with club activities, improvements in health promoting activities, better opportunity to link the local community with club activities, opening up funding avenues and many more.

During phase 1 (which ran from 2013 to 2015) 18 clubs were selected and given the opportunity to partake in this unique project, which is supported by the HSE and Irish Life.

They implemented a range of activities involving exciting partnerships and policies that placed wellbeing at the heart of the clubs' ethos. The areas they focused on included physical activity, emotional wellbeing, health screening, anti-bullying, diet and nutrition, inclusion, drug and alcohol awareness, life skill and personal development, anti-smoking, facilities development, and engagement with older community members.

Following the completion of phase 1 an independent evaluation report was published, outlining key outcomes and recommendations for clubs moving into phase 2. Please click the link to download the full report

http://gaa.ie/community/healthy-club-project/phase-1-evaluation-report/

Many of the Healthy Clubs gained local and national recognition for their efforts. Castleblayney Faughs picked up the Irish Sports Club of the Year award at the Sports

Industry Awards earlier in November, having already been announced Ulster GAA Club of the Year 2014. Its 'Operation TransFAUGHmation' is empowering hundreds from their local area to take ownership of their health in a fun, collective way.

The St. Finbarr's and Midleton clubs were awarded joint first place in the national Health Management Institute awards 2014 by the Minister for Health for their ground-breaking 'Cork Beats Stress' six-week programme. Rolled out in partnership with the HSE's psychological services it benefitted hundreds of people in their catchment areas. St. Colmcille's GAA club was awarded REHAB Community group of the year in Meath and was awarded seed funding from the GENIO Foundation to support its unique 'How are you Today?' community mental health outreach programme. St. John's Volunteer's, Wexford, became the country's first completely smoke-free GAA club.

Phase 2 will commence this February until June 2017 (18 month cycle). Interested clubs can register their interest at http://gaa.ie/community/healthy-club-project/get-involved/

All applications welcomed until Friday the 29th of January.

For more information on the project please go to our FAQ section on the GAA website.

For enquiries please contact: Colin Regan, GAA Community and Health Manager. Phone +353 (0) 1 8658674; Email: colin.regan@gaa.ie