Ulster GAA is delighted to announce it will be part of the new RAISE Active Schools Programme which was announced by the Department of Education this week, an initiative aimed at encouraging pupil engagement through sports at primary school level.
The RAISE Active Schools Programme is a new multisport Physical Education initiative developed in partnership with the Irish FA Foundation, Ulster Rugby and Ulster Hockey. It has been designed to encourage attendance, enhance pupil wellbeing and support strategic objectives of raising achievement and aspiration through a community-based approach.
The Programme will deliver a structured model of sessions delivered by four professional sporting organisations across 96 primary schools. Participating schools will take part in a 10-week programme block, with delivery provided in addition to existing Physical Education provision.
Education Minister Paul Givan said: “This new initiative will provide opportunities for up to 9,600 pupils in selected primary schools situated across the 18 RAISE localities to participate in structured sessions across a variety of sports lead by professional bodies. It will provide access to coaching that these pupils may not otherwise have access to, enhancing existing PE provision and building capacity in schools selected.
Ulster GAA President Michael Geoghegan said:
“Physical education is a crucial element of the school curriculum and Ulster GAA welcomes the opportunity to act as a delivery partner for the Department of Education’s RAISE Active Schools Programme.
“For many years Ulster GAA worked in partnership with the Irish Football Association to deliver the Curriculum Schools Programme and we look forward to working alongside them and our colleagues in Ulster Rugby and Ulster Hockey in progressing this initiative which both enhances the overall educational experience for the child and supports the Executive’s priority of tackling educational disadvantage.”
The Minister concluded: “I am delighted to have secured the invaluable expertise and support of the Irish FA Foundation, Ulster Rugby, Ulster GAA and Ulster Hockey in developing and delivering this Programme. By building capacity within schools, we are ensuring sustainability beyond the life of the initiative, enabling long term improvements in Physical Education provision and creating the best possible opportunities to improve educational outcomes for children who face additional barriers.”
The Programme is being delivered as part of the Department of Education’s RAISE Programme and sees a further investment of £0.5m in tackling educational disadvantage through the initiative.
For more information about the RAISE Active Schools Programme and to register your schools interest, visit the Department of Education website via the link below, or email michael.glover.ulster@gaa.ie.
education-ni.gov.uk/publications/raise-active-schools-programme-call-expressions-interest
The closing date for Expressions of interest is Friday 8 May 2026 at 12noon.
By Michael Devlin Tue 28th Apr
