GAA Media Release – MyLife GAA Healthy Club Assets

Press release

Keep active and help your club win with the Irish Life Healthy Club Steps Challenge


4 x €2,500 O’Neill club vouchers up for grabs during June challenge

 

Throughout the Covid-19 emergency, GAA clubs across the 32 counties have been helping their members and communities stay healthy and connected within the restrictions of public health advice.

To help reward this contribution and to celebrate the importance of staying active, the GAA’s Community & Health Department has teamed up with Irish Life, CSR partners to the Healthy Club Project, to launch a special ‘Steps Challenge’ set to run during the month of June.

Four lucky clubs will win a €2,500 voucher with O’Neill’s. All clubs must to do is:

  • Register your club’s participation by June 1st on Irish Life’s MyLife App
  • Get a minimum of 15 participants to register on the club page on the MyLife App
  • Get walking! (See below for detailed registration instructions.)

The club in each province that records the highest average number of steps during the challenge period will win. Participants must be aged 18 and over. The Steps Challenge, which officially begins June 3rd, is open to all GAA clubs. (See below for step by step guide of how to register your club.)

GAA President John Horan thanked Irish Life for their on-going support: “Irish Life, along with Healthy Ireland, the HSE, and the National Office for Suicide Prevention, has worked with the GAA as our valued CSR partner for the Healthy Club Project since 2014, helping us to engage 300 clubs to date in this health-focused project.

“This Steps Challenge celebrates and rewards the fact that GAA clubs are supporting the wellbeing of their members and their communities even when our official training and games have been forced to stop.”

Commenting on this initiative, Declan Bolger, Chief Executive, Irish Life Group said: “MyLife is Irish Life’s innovative Health & Wellbeing App that can be downloaded and used by everyone.  It is a great tool to help us all stay healthy and fit along with offering rewards to Irish Life customers.  As the CSR partner to the GAA Healthy Club Project we are delighted to collaborate on the Steps Challenge, and help people in our communities and GAA clubs stay active and well during this challenging and unusual time.”

The Challenge starts on June 3rdt and ends June 30th, 2020.

What do I need to do to take part?

Register your club’s participation by June 1st on the following link:

https://mylife.irishlife.ie/Gaa-Healthy-Clubs-2020

How do club members join the challenge?

  1. Download the MyLife app from the App store or Google Play store
  2. Register your details
  3. Tap on the social tab on the MyLife app
  4. Select challenges
  5. Select the challenge for your province

Tap on join & select your club!

(For MyLife support and help: Email support@mylife.irishlife.ie or call 01 704 1943)

 

 

 

#LeitrimGAASupportingOthers Rests Overnight

What brilliant day it has been in the #LeitrimGAASupportingOthers as the people of Leitrim and Leitrim people and their friends around the globe joined the Leitrim Players, past and present, officials and supporters, in covering literally thousands of kilometers, whether walking, jogging, running or cycling in aid of our two nominated charities Sláinte 2020 and Pieta House.

The promotional build-up to today has been phenomenal from the usual suspects who gave so many hours in the preparation and promotion. Our gratitude is extended to the Players and Team Management Personnel who kept the push on this as we approached the weekend. We are deeply indebted to you the public who have rallied behind this event to push it well beyond our expectations in terms of contributions, which is what it was all about at the outset. We are very proud of you all!!

However, this is far from finished and will remain open across the remainder of the weekend and next week as there are still people out there whom we know for fact who will only be in a position to complete this tomorrow and across the days ahead. So Brendan Doyle and Brian Blake, and PRO Barbara who have manned this forum ALL of today, you are far from finished! And in mentioning Brendan and Brian,  we have to say the amount of time you, in particular, have invested in what has essentially been a team effort has been phenomenal all week!!

If you would like to join us tomorrow, please keep sending or post your footage to www.facebook.com/LeitrimGAASupportingOthers/

The proceeds of this fundraising will be Sláinte 2020 and Pieta House. Today the fund has just exceeded  €18k and a new target of €20k has been set so let’s join in tomorrow to help reach this magic figure!!

You may make a donation by accessing our Gofundme page at  https://www.gofundme.com/f/leitrim-gaa-supporting-others

To update you on the event we have set up a dedicated Facebook page to which we are encouraging supporters who will hopefully join the event tomorrow to post pictures of your participation in this event. The dedicated page is at  www.facebook.com/LeitrimGAASupportingOthers/

Looking forward to ‘seeing’ you again tomorrow!!

#LeitrimGAASupportingOthers How to Get Fully Involved

With tomorrow just around the corner, this is a reminder of how you get fully involved and interactive with the whole project and be in with a chance of winning one of three Leitrim GAA merchandise  including a signed Jersey !!

The prizes will be drawn from among those who have contributed to the GoFundMe

Donate here https://www.gofundme.com/f/leitrim-gaa-supporting-others

 

Share your pictures and videos with us and if you use Facebook you can:

1 – Upload to your own page and tag us by typing @LeitrimGAASupportingOthers in your post

2 – or You can post directly to our special page: https://www.facebook.com/pg/LeitrimGAASupportingOthers/

 

On Twitter & Instagram, you can tag us as normal

Twitter – http://twitter.com/LeitrimGAA
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/leitrimgaa_official/

And – on all platforms use the hashtag #LeitrimGAASupportingOthers

 

 

 

The

“I’m in for Saturday” pledge Leitrim Players Past and Present in video shoot

The build-up to Saturday’s #LeitrimGAASupportingOthers continues and we have realtime footage of many of those who will be taking part. A selection of current and past Leitrim players have taken the time to pledge their support of this fundraising venture by recording footage and you can access it exclusively here.

We look forward to the support of all Leitrim people on Saturday in what should prove to be an uplifting experience for all Leitrim people both near and far!

The proceeds of Saturday’s fundraising will be Sláinte 2020 and Pieta House. This morning, €5.5k of the €10k target has been reached and it continues to grow steadily.

You may make a donation by accessing our Gofundme page at  https://www.gofundme.com/f/leitrim-gaa-supporting-others

To update you on the event we have set up a dedicated Facebook page to which we are encouraging supporters who will hopefully join the event on Saturday to post pictures of your participation in this event. The dedicated page is at  www.facebook.com/LeitrimGAASupportingOthers/

Looking forward to ‘seeing’ you on Saturday!!

 

 

 

Leitrim GAA Supporting Others Fundraising May 16 Update

We are actively promoting the Leitrim GAA Supporting Others Fundraising Drive which is scheduled for Saturday next May 16.

To update you on the event we have set up a dedicated Facebook page to which we are encouraging supporters who will hopefully join the event on Saturday to post pictures of your participation in this event. The dedicated page is at  www.facebook.com/LeitrimGAASupportingOthers/

With regard to the beneficiaries of this fundraising venture, Pieta House and Sláinte 2020, while the majority of people here would be aware of the excellent services being provided by the Dublin based unit, perhaps less is known of Sláinte 2020 which is a partnership consisting of The Aisling Irish Centre, Emerald Isle immigration Centre, New York GAA, New York Irish Centre and United Irish Counties, five long-established Irish not-for-profit organizations that have solid reputations, strong track records and are well known and trusted by members of the Irish community. In April Sláinte 2020 has launched its fundraising website. It plans to harness the collective reach of well-known and long-standing Irish organizations to maximize fundraising to assist individuals and families adversely impacted by the COVID-19 crisis.

Already gaining much momentum, Sláinte 2020 has raised over $150,000 in three weeks, with an additional $15,000 pledged. Of this, $148,000 has been allocated in grants to date. A thorough review process ensures that all recipients demonstrate verified financial need. While this is a great start, the volume of applications pouring in indicates an even greater need for support in the Irish community than that originally anticipated. They have received over 450 applications in three weeks and estimate that $400,000 would be required just to meet current requests for support. Given that Sláinte 2020 is now receiving on average 30 applications per day, they project that goal figure to increase considerably in the coming weeks. Although construction work may resume shortly in New York, approximately TWO-THIRDS of their applicants work in the hospitality sector. Any financial reprieve for that sector in the foreseeable future is likely to come slowly and prove sorely inadequate to counter great hardships threatening them and their families.

At Leitrim GAA we have established very strong links with the Irish community over the years and indeed on our four trips stateside since 2003 to play in Connacht SFC in Gaelic Park. Our Main Team Sponsors Seamus and Caitríona Clarke are heavily involved in Sláinte 2020 and we view this fundraising effort as an opportunity to send something back.

We look forward to your participation on Saturday & our donation link is below.

 

Brendan (Benny) Meehan RIP

,

Leitrim GAA would like to express its sympathy on the sudden death of Brendan (Benny) Meehan.

Brendan, a former club player with Kiltubrid passed away suddenly at his parents’ residence, surrounded by his loving fiancée Shauna and heartbroken parents, Brian and Ann.

He will be sorely missed by his sisters and brother Deirdre, Kevin and Mairead, sister in law Niamh, brothers in law Mark and Christopher, nieces and nephews Lauren, Leona, Liam, Ciara and Ryan. Also missed by Shauna’s family, Christina, Michael, Ciara, Raymond and Granny Anna, aunts, uncles, cousins, extended family and a large circle of friends.

Brendan is a nephew of Leitrim GAA Insurance Officer PJ Meehan.

Ar Dheis De go raibh sé.

 

Leitrim Senior Players Announcement

Watch this space at 10am tomorrow for details of a Charity Fundraising Venture devised by Leitrim GAA Senior Players involving current and former players, officials, supporters, all families, and friends.

COVID 19 Update GAA MEDIA RELEASE

The GAA notes and welcomes the plans published by the government last Friday and some of the dates included relating to the possible return of sporting activity, including Gaelic games.

The Association will attempt to seek clarity around some of the issues that have arisen in internal discussions since last Friday including the challenge of social distancing in contact sport.

GAA facilities are to remain closed as part of efforts to prevent gatherings which breach the restrictions.

We are instructing our clubs and counties to continue to adhere to the restrictions and to refrain from organising on-field activity. These measures are expected to remain in place until July 20.

We will continue to monitor the dates and timelines as revealed by the Government and our arrangements will remain under constant review.

Our units are reminded that the Player Injury scheme is suspended and will remain so until an official return to action protocol is confirmed.

The GAA still firmly hopes to be able to play county and club competitions this year, subject of course to public health guidance. We can confirm however that no inter-county games are expected to take place before October.

Counties are asked, in the interest of players, to suspend all inter-county training until further notice. There will be a phased resumption of training at both club and county level to allow players to prepare appropriately for playing games.

While not categorically ruling out the possible staging of games behind closed doors later in the year, there appears to be a lack of appetite for this type of fixture-scheduling at the current time across the wider Association.

The GAA can also confirm the appointment of a dedicated Covid-19 Advisory Group which will advise the Association on matters relating to return to play protocols and other similar issues.

The members of this group are as follows:

Shay Bannon (Chairman) – existing Chairman of Health and Safety group

Dick Clerkin (existing Chairman of Medical Scientific and Welfare Committee)

Dr Pat O’Neill (Dublin)

Dr Kevin Moran (Donegal)

Dr Jim O’Donovan (Limerick)

Dr Seán Moffatt (Chair of Gaelic Medical Association and Mayo team doctor)

Paul Flynn (CEO Gaelic Players Association)

Stephen Mc Geehan (Head of Operations, Ulster GAA)

Tony Mc Guinness (Events and Safety Manager, Croke Park)

Sinéad McNulty (CEO An Cumann Camógaíochta)

Helen O’Rourke (CEO Ladies Gaelic Football Association)

John Horan (Uachtarán CLG)

Tom Ryan (Ard Stiúrthóir CLG)

Feargal Mc Gill (Director of Player, Club and Games Administration)

The outcome of this group’s work will be a graduated approach, informed and guided by the recently published Government Roadmap and by Government policy from Stormont.

Our units have played an important role in the community effort against the pandemic and we thank all of our members for their role in this to date.

We also underline the importance of continuing to adhere to the guidelines to ensure that the country as a whole meets its targets in the coming weeks allowing us to make progress and facilitate a return to games when it is safe to do so.

Leitrim COVID-19 Community Response Well Being Pack

This week An Post will be delivering the Community Response Well Being Pack to elderly people. This is an excellent resource to help keep people occupied during these times.

The pack includes a new physical activity initiative, featuring eight daily exercises over a four-week period, primarily aimed at older adults who are cocooning. It is being launched by HSE Community Physiotherapy in partnership with the Age-Friendly Alliance, Sport’s Partnerships, Local Authorities and Public Participation Networks across Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim, Cavan and Monaghan – Community Healthcare Organisation Area 1. Older people can follow this programme in Leitrim by tuning into Shannonside-Northern Sound FM Let’s Talk Programme.

A link to the Physiotherapy Programme HSE COMMUNITY PHYSIO LEAFLET Leitrim

Leitrim GAA Launches ‘It’s Good to talk GAA’

Leitrim GAA launches new initiative in response to Covid-19, It’s Good to Talk GAA

Leitrim GAA, working closely with Leitrim County Council, Leitrim Sports Partnership, Leitrim PPN and Leitrim Age Friendly embark on an initiative that hopefully make a difference to people who may be feeling very isolated and alone in these restricted times. People 70 and over have been ‘cocooning’ and thereby confined to the limits of their four walls over these past number of weeks, and while this evening’s news will have come as welcome relief of sorts, they will still remain largely confined. For many, the trip to the shop, the church and the local football pitch was a way of life and a daily or weekly event and these trips are still a long way off.

In this regard, Leitrim GAA wishes to offer a service that may be a degree of respite to those who are missing their GAA in particular. Inspired by a move made by former Mayo footballer David Brady, we in Leitrim GAA invite, that if there is someone in your area who would like a call from a person in Leitrim GAA, be that a current or former player or official, we will endeavour to have that connection made. It may seem like very little but to a person who is isolated and may have nobody to talk to this might brighten their day or week, particularly if it a special occasion their lives. The people of Leitrim in this age category have contributed enormously to what we have to enjoy today. We would like to offer something little back in return.

Leitrim GAA’s Poster will be included in a Well Being Pack that the Leitrim COVID-19 Community Response Forum will this week be sending out to 1,500 older people as part of its ‘In This Together’ campaign which aims to assist them to Stay Connected, Stay Active and look after their Mental Wellbeing throughout the COVID-19 Emergency.

The pack includes a new physical activity initiative, featuring eight daily exercises over a four-week period, primarily aimed at older adults who are cocooning. It is being launched by HSE Community Physiotherapy in partnership with the Age-Friendly Alliance, Sport’s Partnerships, Local Authorities and Public Participation Networks across Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim, Cavan and Monaghan – Community Healthcare Organisation Area 1. Older people can follow this programme in Leitrim by tuning into Shannonside-Northern Sound FM Let’s Talk Programme.

Also included in the pack are quizzes, word games, gardening tips, healthy eating plans and adult colouring to keep our minds and bodies active as well as some goodies such as healthy treats or seeds.

If there is anybody who think might like to avail of Leitrim GAA’s offer, contact secretary.leitrim@gaa.ie or call 0876888978. Alternatively, you may call Leitrim Covid 19 Helpline on 1800 852 389

Pictured at the launch earlier today at McGovern Aughavas Leitrim GAA Centre of Excellence are Cathaoirleach Leitrim GAA Enda Stenson and Rúnaí Declan Bohan.

 

Problem Gambling Support Resources

Individuals with gambling problems may be more servery impacted from Covid-19 due to stress, financial worries, job losses, lack of other social outlets, etc. This can be the case for those who are recovering from a gambling addition as well as those currently experiencing symptoms. This week we hosted a webinar with Oisín McConville, Justin Campbell and Niall McNamee focusing on this topic. Attached you will find the presentation that was given on the evening and a sample club gambling policy. You can also find a link to problem gambling supports here: Problem Gambling Supports. A link to the webinar will also be made available and circulated next week.

 

 

Covid-19: Resources for Older Adults

Following on from previous articles we will be now issuing our communications in a more streamlined and targeted approach to ensure that you are not being overwhelmed with information. Today’s communication is directed specifically for older adults. We have pulled together multiple resources relating to this population group and have put them into one document for you. Please feel free to circulate this document throughout your own networks. It will also be available to view on a new page on our website which can be accessed here; Supporting our members, communities and volunteers during Covid-19