GAA4ALL returns to Multy: 'It's about everyone playing and feeling part of the club'

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GAA 4 All coach Howard Webb with some of the young members last season.

Rodney Farry

Published: Fri 7 Apr 2023, 2:20 PM

Last updated: Fri 7 Apr 2023, 2:21 PM

Preparations are well underway for Multyfarnham GAA's new season of the GAA4All programme.

Now in its second year, GAA4All is weekly football training for children with additional needs given by experienced and qualified coaches from Multyfarnham GAA. Speaking to the Westmeath Examiner, club committee member Anne Maire Connolly explained how the club signed up for the initiative.

“We set it up last year. A parent who is involved with the club said that there should be an opportunity for chilldren with additional needs to play GAA. We jumped at the straight away and said that we'd love to somehing in this area.

“I think that we are first club in the county to run something like this and are really looking forward to the coming season, which starts at the end of April.”

While the main aim of the programme is to enable children with additional needs to play Gaelic football and was very successful in its first year, it's not only the young participants that benefit from taking part in the Saturday morning sessions.

“It is all about inclusion and it's also an opportunity for parents to interact with other mothers and fathers of children with additional needs.

“It was extremely successful last year. We not only had families from Multy coming down, but also people coming from Mullingar and other local areas. They all said that it was brilliant to have something like this on their door step.”

This year the training will take place indoor at Multyfarnham Community Centre. Following the success of last year, Anne Marie says that the club is expecting more people to sign up this year.

“I have to say the coaches who were involved last year were exceptional. The training is varied. It's not just about Gaelic football, the coaches, some who work with people with additional needs, incorporate other games too. The children get to play football and to feel part of the Multyfarnham GAA. The club is for everyone, it's not just about the senior and minor teams. It's about everyone playing and feeling a part of the club.That's what it is all about.”