Fifty Young GAA Leaders participate in prestigious development programme

Fifty young GAA members from clubs across Ulster are participating in this year’s Ulster GAA Young Leaders Programme, which started last week. 

The young people are all players or volunteers within their clubs and counties and are embarking on this ambitious and prestigious programme to develop their knowledge and understanding of issues relating to the GAA and sport.

The comprehensive programme runs for six months and has a number of elements including:

• A three-day academy
• Four online workshops
• Two-day, overnight hiking and camping expedition
• 12 weeks volunteering in their clubs/counties
• 24 weeks playing/training in Gaelic games

By the end of the programme the young people will have achieved an impressive set of awards including:

• 2023 Ulster GAA Young Leaders Award
• GAA Foundation Coaching Award
• GAA Safeguarding Award
• GAA for All Certificate
• Sports Inspire 50 Award
• Volunteer Now’s Youth Impact Award
• Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award or Gaisce – the President’s Award Bronze

Last week the 50 young GAA members completed the three-day Young Leaders Academy that took place at the Box-It Athletic Grounds in Armagh.

Armagh goalkeeping star Ethan Rafferty, who has been a supporter of the programme over the last two years, took time out on Tuesday to meet with the Young Leaders and to talk to them about playing and volunteering in the GAA.

Ethan was incredibly inspiring talking about his own experience playing at the highest level for Armagh and all that comes with that including team support, building resilience, skills development and the importance of looking after yourself mentally as a player. He also spoke passionately about the importance of volunteering in sport and highlighted that young people had an important contribution to make to the GAA through volunteering in their clubs.

A keen sportsman, Ethan is also well known as a road bowler and he gave the young people an insight into the benefits and drawbacks of playing two sports/codes.

The young people completed their GAA Foundation Coaching Award and Safeguarding Awards at the Academy.  They also experienced playing Wheelchair hurling and participated in a GAA for All practical session.  White Ribbon NI delivered a powerful session Never Cross the Line #GetConsent and the young leaders completed their expedition training ahead of their two-day hike at the end of July.

The young people all fully participated in the Academy and are a credit to their clubs and families. Ulster GAA looks forward to the programme progressing over the coming months.