‘Save Our Smiles’ launched to highlight important role of parents in clubs

Ulster GAA, in partnership with the Irish News, this week launch the ‘Save Our Smiles’ campaign in support of the NSPCC Parents in Sport week, which takes place on the 4-8th October 2021. 

GAA parents play a pivotal role in encouraging and supporting their child’s participation, success and fun when engaging in Gaelic games and activities, and without their input many of our clubs would cease to function effectively.

To celebrate and raise awareness of the important role parents play in our clubs, Ulster GAA are encouraging all our constituent units to join us in supporting Parents in Sport week through our Save our Smiles campaign which focuses on the positive role that parents play in helping young people reach their full potential. For more information, visit ulster.gaa.ie/safeguarding/save-our-smiles 

Children and young people take greater enjoyment from participating in Gaelic games if their parents are positively involved. They are also more likely to continue playing for longer and have more opportunities to reach their sporting potential. It is important that parents reflect on their own behaviour when their child is participating, ensuring that their support is having a positive impact on their child’s progression, development and enjoyment.

Parents are key stakeholders in all Clubs. The contribution they can make to our games and activities is invaluable, particularly at underage level and in the day-to-day running of the Club from washing team kits through to transporting players, assisting with teams, fundraising and beyond. Therefore, it is vital that all of our Clubs embrace parental involvement in a positive way and that channels of communication between the Club, its volunteers and parents are working as effectively as possible from the very start.

We encourage all our Clubs to support parents and encourage that they continue to engage with their child’s GAA activities in a positive way. Informing parents that you are responsive and open to their ideas can help to ensure that everyone involved has an enjoyable experience.

We also encourage you all to enter our Save our Smiles Competition as part of the campaign, by sending in your Smiling Images as you practiced your Gaelic Games skills. To enter, send your pics to smiles@irishnews.com.