Two-time Tyrone All-Ireland U20 champion Conor O’Neill returned to Ulster GAA’s Young Leaders Academy in Armagh this week to share his experiences as a young GAA player and volunteer.
Conor took time out from preparing for the All-Ireland SFC Semi-Final to speak with 30 young participants about the importance of volunteering in the GAA and how they can develop their own skills and knowledge.
The Donaghmore club man was himself an Ulster GAA Young Leader in 2023, making his return to the Academy all the more special as he arrived with the U20 All-Ireland silverware he and his Tyrone team-mates have won for a second consecutive year.
He spoke about the significant influence of his club manager, a dedicated volunteer who played a vital role in his growth as a player. Conor also reflected on his time in the Ulster GAA Young Leaders Programme, highlighting how the experience continues to shape his approach, particularly when coaching young children.
Conor was joined by Ulster GAA Wheelchair Hurler Paul Hannon, another inspirational sportsman who put the young people through their paces when they tried out wheelchair games, emphasising the importance of making the GAA inclusive at all levels.
The 30 young people came from right across the province for the three-day Academy to develop their skills and knowledge of issues relating to the GAA. Through the programme, they completed:
- Introduction to Coaching Gaelic Games Award
- GAA Safeguarding Award
- GAA for All Award
They also explored key issues including the Consent #NeverCrossTheLine initiative with White Ribbon and Ulster GAA’s One Punch campaign to highlight the devastating consequences of violence on the pitch, as well as exploring areas such as nutrition and lifestyle to promote healthy living choices.
As part of the programme, the Young Leaders now return to their clubs to complete 13 weeks of volunteering, and will come together again for a two-day, one-night hiking expedition in the Mourne Mountains.
Ulster GAA’s Young Leaders Academy, now in its seventh year, is hugely popular for GAA members aged 16-24 years and aims to develop the skills and knowledge of young volunteers to enable them to take up meaningful roles within their clubs, schools and counties.
