A four-year partnership between Irish Life and GAA Healthy Clubs was announced in January. Meath ladies footballer Niamh O’Sullivan, left, and Grace Birch, a member of Lucan Sarsfields GAA Club, and a GAA Healthy Club, were pictured at the launch.
The role played by clubs in supporting the health and wellbeing of communities across Ireland will be explored at the 2022 National Irish Life GAA Healthy Club Conference in Croke Park on Saturday, November 12th. This year’s conference will focus on the theme of ‘Living our Values’.
Oisin McConville’s keynote address promises to be a highlight as he draws from his wealth of experience as a club and county All Ireland winner with Crossmaglen Rangers and Armagh, his management experience across club, college, and now entering the inter-county stage as he takes up the Wicklow senior football manager role, and of course his honest punditry and advocacy work for which he has become renowned. To cap his CV, Oisin has also been a member of Crossmaglen Rangers’ Healthy Club project team!
A number of other well-known GAA players and figures (names to be revealed in the weeks leading up to the conference) will contribute to a panel discussion exploring the theme. Workshops exploring how we can bring to life the values that are common across the GAA, LGFA, and Camogie associations, including: Community Identity & Pride, Teamwork and Volunteerism, Inclusiveness, and Player Welfare & Respect. Workshops will include practical examples from Healthy Clubs covering these themes.
The free conference, which draws 400 delegates annually, is a highlight in the Gaelic Games events calendar and will once again shine a light on the vibrant work undertaken by Healthy Clubs in supporting the health and wellbeing of the communities they serve. Since 2013, almost 450 clubs have been engaged in the Irish Life GAA Healthy Clubs programme, which is also proudly supported by Healthy Ireland, the HSE, National Office for Suicide Prevention, and the Tomar Trust.
Uachtarán Cumann Lúthchleas Gael, Larry McCarthy, said: “The GAA is synonymous with games but, ultimately, it is about People and through them the communities that our clubs serve. That is why the work of the GAA Community and Health department is such an integral part of our Association and why we place such value on our Healthy Clubs.
“The range of benefits from being involved in the many initiatives attached with a GAA Healthy Club are clear and I commend all of those who have participated fully.
“This year’s theme, “Living our values” is very apt. Knowing what we value and what we stand for are very topical questions, so too the constant challenge of ensuring we live up to the manifesto of being a GAA Where We All Belong.
“I wish all of those involved the very best and want to acknowledge the support our Community and Health team receive from Irish Life, Healthy Ireland and the TOMAR trust.”
Declan Bolger, CEO, Irish Life said: “At Irish Life, we help people build better futures and share the GAA’s goal of building healthier communities throughout Ireland.
"I’m proud that Irish Life has supported the GAA Healthy Clubs programme and its wide range of healthy initiatives since 2015.
"Irish Life partner with the GAA to support over 450 GAA Clubs across Ireland to become a focal point for the health of not just their players but their wider community.
"A great example of this support is the annual Every Step Counts Challenge. Last January, 28,600 GAA club members tracked 5.2 million kilometres for their clubs and communities, all while increasing their own physical activity and health levels.
"I’m delighted to be celebrating the success of the Irish Life GAA Healthy Clubs with the Healthy Club officers and volunteers who make this programme work across over 450 communities in Ireland.”
Tom James, Head of Healthy Ireland, commented: "The Healthy Club Project is unique to Ireland, and with the GAA at the heart of every community, it is ideally placed to transform clubs into hubs for health and wellbeing.
This project includes almost 450 clubs, embraces the 32 counties, and shows what is possible working on an all-island basis, with our partners including the GAA, the HSE, our health colleagues in Northern Ireland, and Irish Life."
To register for the Irish Life GAA Healthy Club Conference or for more information regarding the Healthy Club Project please visit https://www.gaa.ie/my-gaa/community-and-health/