109 Ulster clubs recognised for exceptional contribution to health and wellbeing

In recognition of their exceptional contributions to the health and wellbeing of their members and local communities, 109 clubs in Ulster have been awarded official accreditation as Irish Life GAA Healthy Clubs at a recent ceremony held in Tyrone GAA Centre, Garvaghy.

This milestone follows almost two years’ work by the clubs’ volunteers who give up their free time to make the GAA and Ireland a healthier place for everyone to enjoy. The Ulster Clubs were presented their awards by Ulster GAA President, Ciaran McLaughlin.

The Irish life GAA Healthy Clubs programme marks its tenth anniversary in 2023. It has grown from a small pilot featuring 16 clubs in 2013 to having engaged 450 clubs to date. In the interim, it has gained national and international recognition as an exemplar programme for the delivery of health promotion through a sports club setting.

In 2022-23, Healthy Clubs delivered 2389 initiatives reaching 184,598 participants, many of whom never had any prior connection to their local GAA club.

This level of growth and impact could not have been achieved without the long-term support of Healthy Clubs sponsors, Irish Life, with further support from the Tomar Trust, the HSE, the National Office for Suicide Prevention, Healthy Ireland and the Public Health Agency.