‘Healthy Clubs’ dozen in Westmeath

A dozen clubs from Westmeath were among the 120 from Leinster who received Healthy Club awards at an event on Tuesday October 7 in the Hamlet Court Hotel, County Kildare, in conjunction with Irish Life Health and the GAA’s National Community and Health Committee.

Westmeath GAA clubs were:; Ringtown Hurling and Camogie Club; Lough Lene Gaels; St Mary’s Rochfortbridge; Loughnavalley GAA; Mullingar Handball club (the only handball club in the country to be awarded the HC Status); St Paul’s GAA; Crookedwood Hurling Club; Milltown GAA; Ballynacargy GAA; Na Dúnta GAA; Southern Gaels and; Ballycomoyle.

For Milltown GAA, it is the second phase for the club in the initiative. They have been awarded ‘Silver’ Healthy Club status for 2025-2027, and are aiming for ‘Gold’ status next.

The formal recognition from the GAA reflects the ongoing commitment of clubs to promoting health and wellbeing at club grounds and in their wider communities.

Milltown GAA initiatives on the project vary from continued promotion of sport and exercise activities for all ages, to diversity and integration work with new community members, various physical and mental health promotion activities including the Movember Ahead of the Game initiative, and the January 2025 ‘Blue Lights’ road, rail, water and fire safety awareness event and various other activities that support health and wellbeing.

Paul Heduan, Milltown GAA Healthy Club Sub Committee chairperson, said: “A big thank you to everyone involved for their hard work and passion in making Milltown GAA a truly inclusive and healthy club for us all to be proud of. Please do get in touch with any of our club executive if you would like to learn more.”