GAA's Healthy Club Conference 2021 opens for registrations

The role of the GAA in offering meaningful connection, purpose and social cohesion post-pandemic will be amongst the themes explored at the GAA Healthy Club Conference 2021, to be held virtually on Saturday, October 30.

Renowned psychologist Dr. Tony Bates will be joined by Tyrone All-Ireland winner Conor Meyler and host of other GAA ambassadors and Healthy Clubs to explore the conference theme: ‘5 Ways to Wellbeing’.

The free conference will use the evidence-based ‘5 Ways to Wellbeing’ framework – Connect, Be Active, Take Notice, Keep Learning and Give – to highlight the important contribution Healthy Clubs make to the wellbeing of their members and communities, and to explore how this can continue as the Healthy Club Project expands in 2022.

The event also marks the opening of expressions of interest for new clubs to get involved in the Healthy Club Project, with the GAA Community & Health department setting a target of 200 new clubs to join next year the almost 300 clubs already accredited as official ‘Healthy Clubs’.

The Healthy Club Project is delivered in partnership with Irish Life (corporate social responsibility partners), Healthy Ireland, the HSE, National Office for Suicide Prevention and the Tomar Trust. It aims to expand clubs’ positive influence as they broaden their remit from sports clubs to becoming hubs for health in their community.

Conference attendees will get a flavour for what’s required of and available to a club that registers to participate in the Healthy Club Project. They will also have an opportunity to experience some of the new initiatives that are being rolled out through the GAA’s Community & Healthy Department, including GAA Games for All (diversity and inclusion), Social Games (recreational Gaelic games), Green Clubs (sustainability) and Youth Leadership.

Apart from Dr. Tony Bates and Conor Meyler, guest speakers include six-time All-Ireland winner Julia White, Cork Under 20 football manager Keith Ricken and Ulster wheelchair camogie player and coach Geraldine McGarrigle.

The workshops will also be brought to life by inspiring Healthy Club case studies showcasing examples of Healthy Clubs in action.

An Uachtarán Cumann Lúthchleas Gael, Larry McCarthy, commented: “The success and growth of the Healthy Club Project is a testament to the power of volunteerism and the support of our partners. Its importance has never been more acute. I look forward to celebrating at the conference the success of our existing Healthy Clubs while encouraging other members to join us and be inspired to sign up their club for 2022.”

Declan Bolger, CEO, Irish Life, added: “Over the last 18 months, GAA club volunteers and supporters have done an incredible job looking after their communities and helping everyone stay active. The GAA Healthy Clubs programme has been central to this fantastic effort and we are delighted that the Irish Life MyLife app was a part of this programme.

“The MyLife app allows people to challenge themselves in a fun way to improve their health and fitness levels. At Irish Life, we are proud to support this conference which will help Healthy Clubs to succeed and grow in 2022 and beyond.”

Tom James, Head of Healthy Ireland, said: “One of the key actions of Healthy Ireland is to empower people and communities, and this is at the heart of the GAA’s Healthy Club Project. The project provides opportunities for communities to connect and look after their health and wellbeing. GAA clubs provide members with opportunities to develop their physical, social, emotional and psychological health.”

Click here to register your attendance for the conference and any future correspondence regarding the event. For more information regarding the Healthy Club Project, visit https://www.gaa.ie/my-gaa/community-and-health.