GAA coaches active in your community

What Is The Active Communities Programme?

Active Communities is a programme that aims to increase participation in sport and physical recreation in communities. Active Communities seeks to increase participation among under represented groups including women and girls, older people and people with a disability. Active Communities is funded by Sport Northern Ireland.

How Is Ulster GAA Linked To The Project?

Some council consortia areas have GAA specific coaches who are working in their council areas to increase participation in Gaelic Games. As the Ulster GAA is committed to working diversely across all codes, ages and abilities they give direction and support to these coaches.

What Can The Programme Do For Your Club?

The Active Communities Coaches can be accessed by clubs, schools, community groups and special needs groups with the aim of creating opportunities for women and girls, older people and people with a disability. They can help you to make your club inclusive to all members of the GAA family. Examples of programmes and initiatives that they can help with are detailed below:

GAA For All

We in the GAA believe that every-one should be given the opportunity to take part in Gaelic Games no matter what their ability.  Through the Active Communities Programme we are offering your club the opportunity to reach out to the wider community by offering coaching for those with disabilities.  All our coaches have been trained in adapting our games and activities to suit a wide range of ability levels, so no matter how much or how little your members can do, we can get them involved.

Gaelic4Mothers

Gaelic4Mothers is a National Ladies Gaelic initiative which is giving mums across the country the opportunity to pull on their boots and get involved in playing the game. The programme has grown from strength to strength since it’s inception two years ago with many clubs across Ulster now taking part in it.  Originally set up as a six week programme, most of the clubs who get it up and running find that the mums are enjoying it so much that they don’t want it to stop after six weeks. Not only are the mums having a great time, but they also feel more part of the club and get involved in the club’s activities and events.

Over 50’s In Your Club

Research proves that older people who exercise regularly can carry out every day tasks with greater ease. With this in mind the Active Communities Coaches are keen to help your club reach out to those who fall into the over 50’s category so that your club can offer activities suitable for this age-group.

Club Coaching Support

The Active Communities coaches can also offer coaching support to your club in the areas of Ladies Football or Camogie. If you are not already offering all codes in your club then why not ask our Active Com-munities Coaches to help you get started.

For more information on the Active Communities programme and to find out who the Active Communities coaches are in your area contact the Ulster GAA Active Communities Co-ordinator Sheena Tally on 077951 60979 or email sheena.tally.ulster@gaa.ie .

Pictured is one of the Active Communities coaches at a Football/Camogie Blitz held in Banbridge at the end of last year.