Research finds GAA Healthy Club Project has potential to support a healthier Ireland
The potential for GAA clubs to support the health and wellbeing of the people of Ireland has been highlighted in an independent evaluation of the GAA Healthy Club Project (HCP), an innovative partnership between the GAA, the Irish health sector and Irish Life.
Minister for Health, Leo Varadkar, joined An Uachtarán Cumann Luthchleas Gael, Aogán Ó Fearghail, in Croke Park on Monday to launch the report into Phase 1 of the initiative. Conducted by a team from Waterford IT’s Centre for Health Behaviour Research, this is the first research available to suggest that the GAA Healthy Club Project is a viable delivery model for protective health factors at Irish population level. While more in-depth research is required, the report also suggest that the project possesses the potential to respond to more specific health issues once adequately supported.
Phase 1 of the Healthy Club Project, which ran from January 2013 to July 2015, involved 18 clubs selected from across the four provinces, including Nenagh Eire Og with two mentoring clubs also involved. Volunteer project teams in each club conducted needs assessments within their memberships and communities to ascertain priority areas for their two-year action plans. The 1,426 responses received prompted the delivery of interventions across areas including physical activity, emotional wellbeing, health screening, anti-bullying, diet and nutrition, inclusion and community outreach, drug and alcohol awareness, life skill and personal development, anti-smoking, facilities development, and engagement with older community members.
Responding to the report, An Uachtarán CLG, Aogán O Fearghail, said: “GAA clubs have always supported the health of our nation. Now, through the Healthy Club Project, this is reaching far beyond the health benefits accrued from playing our games. The work of our volunteers at club level – combined with the support of our partners, the HSE, the National Office for Suicide Prevention, and Irish Life – is enabling the GAA to provide communities with an alternative access to wellbeing on their own terms, in their own backyards.”
Minister for Health Leo Varadkar welcomed the report and the plans to invite further clubs to take part: “The GAA reaches into every parish in Ireland and is making an enormous contribution to the nation's health and wellbeing. The Healthy Club Project takes this a step further and turns individual clubs into advocates for the physical and mental wellbeing of their local community. I’m delighted that so many clubs and communities have taken part, and with a new phase about to start I want to encourage many more clubs to sign up. The Healthy Club Project fits very well with our Healthy Ireland initiative, which wants people to stay well and to feel well.”
Many of the Phase 1 Healthy Clubs are gaining recognition for their efforts. Castleblayney Faughs picked up the Sports Club of the Year award at the Sports Industry Awards earlier this month, having already been announced Ulster GAA Club of the Year 2014. Its ‘Operation TransFAUGHmation’ is empowering hundreds from their local area to take ownership of their health and a fun, collective way.
The St. Finbarr’s and Midleton clubs were awarded joint first place in the national Health Management Institute awards 2014 by the Minister for Health for their ground-breaking ‘Cork Beats Stress’ six-week programme. Rolled out in partnership with the HSE’s psychological services it benefitted hundreds of people in their catchment areas. St. Colmcille’s GAA club was awarded REHAB Community group of the year in Meath and was awarded seed funding from the GENIO Foundation to support its unique ‘How are you Today?’ community mental health outreach programme.
The evaluators make key recommendations based on their findings to ensure that Phase 2 of the project maximises its potential. These centre on governance, partnership and collaboration, funding, building capacity, delivery of appropriate programmes, measuring impact and evaluation, and resources.
A three-year Corporate Social Responsibility investment of €1 million by Irish Life has already accelerated the Association’s capacity to implement some of these recommendations as it prepares to grow the project to 50 clubs during Phase 2, which will commence in early 2016.
Bill Kyle, Chief Executive, Irish Life said that he was proud to see the company’s investment being used to make a real difference in the community. “Phase 2 of the Healthy Clubs initiative will see at least one club in each county becoming active in the project as it develops nationally. The Irish Life funding has been used to support this growth with the appointment of a national Healthy Club coordinator, Aoife O’Brien, to drive the project as part of the Community & Health team in Croke Park. The investment is also facilitating the development of appropriate resources that will allow the HCP realise a greater scale than would otherwise have been possible,” he said
Today’s report launch was also used as an opportunity to open a call for expressions of interest to any GAA club curious about getting involved in Phase 2. This requires the completion of an online application form outlining the club’s motivations for becoming a ‘healthy club’ and includes details of what will be involved in Phase 2 of the GAA Healthy Clubs Project. One club from each county will be selected to join those continuing from Phase 1 into Phase 2.
To register your club’s interest in participating in Phase 2 go to www.gaa.ie/community where you can also read the full Phase 1 evaluation report and FAQs regarding the project.