Clubs sought for GAA health initiative

GAA clubs across County Wicklow are being invited to sign up to take part in the GAA Healthy Club Project (HCP).

Following a report from the Centre for Health Behaviour Research at Waterford IT which showed significant and lasting improvements to the health of local communities, clubs throughout the county are being encouraged to sign up to take part.

The HCP has run since 2013 and in Wicklow, Annacurra GAA Club and Bray Emmets GAA Club have already participated. They are two of 58 clubs which have taken part so far delivering initiatives covering physical activity, healthy eating, mental fitness, gambling, alcohol and drug education, training and personal development, anti-bullying, anti-smoking and community development.

The latest stage of HCP was launched in recent days by Minister Simon Harris, who congratulated the Wicklow clubs on ‘ leading the charge’ with their participation.

In south Wicklow, Annacurra GAA Club endeavoured to get non-playing club members more active. The club organised a circuit training programme for people who are no longer playing team sports in the club and promoted it to members of the public who are over the age of 40.

In addition, the club wanted to provide an alternative social outlet through exercise for this audience to boost integration amongst members of the community who may have no connection with the club or previous links through their playing career.

There was great feedback from the club and organisers hope to continue the programme this year.

A similarly successful programme was run by Bray Emmets called ‘Get fit with BE FIT’, the club’s answer to Operation Transformation which was aimed at non-playing men and women of all ages. The club ran outdoor walks/runs twice a week in the Wicklow Mountains over a ten-week period and finished the programme with a 5k run/walk in Shangannagh Park.

Clubs can apply to participate in the Healthy Club Project by completing the online form on www.gaa.ie/community