Healthy Club
The GAA Community & Health Committee opened applications for Phase 3 of their national Healthy Clubs Project early in 2018. Caherlistrane GAA were honoured to have been one of just 8 Clubs in County Galway successfully accepted into this process and so our journey of 18 months began!
Our Healthy Club Project Team comprises a small number of very passionate and willing individuals who work hard, with the unwaivering support of the Club Executive to achieve what we can for our Club and Community.
It seemed clear from the outset after surveying Club members and the general community, that the most sought after areas were physical activity and healthy eating and so these became our main (but not exclusive) focus.
Healthy Eating
Our biggest Club achievement in terms of healthy eating has been adopting the GAA's Healthy Eating Policy and indeed adapting it to our own needs.
We have committed to:
- Providing wholemeal bread first and foremost for all Club events
- Including fresh fruit options where possible at such events also
- Providing healthier alternatives to treats and fast foods as a reward to our juvenile players after 'big wins'/away games and events etc.
This is a huge success so far and we thank everyone concerned for their support.
Caherlistrane GAA Healthy Club Project is lucky to have had fantastic support from organisations such as Croí, the West of Ireland Cardiac & Stroke Foundation (https://croi.ie/) and HSE Health Promotion Services https://www.healthpromotion.ie/ in helping us to provide public talks on healthy eating over the last year.
Also in October of last year, Croí carried out a health screening and offered lifestyle advice to over 40 Club and community members.
Funding through the Irish Life Healthy Club Project agreement has allowed the HCP Team to provide fresh fruit for several club events, including the Club Membership day, Acorn Cup Schools Competition this May and many more. Additionally it helped us to have fresh fruit on hand for the OT Walks over January and February, coupled with the teas and coffees compliments of the Community Council and water from Keane's Shop for the post-walk cuppas.
Physical Activity
Unexpectedly but so very well received were the Operation Transformation Saturday Walks which was a brilliant collaboration between the Healthy Club Project Team and newly established Caherlistrane Kilcoona Walking Group. With welcome support from Katie, Mick and Jason in Galway Sports Partnership the weekly walks which took place from 12th January to 23rd February rotating between routes in Caherlistrane and Kilcoona, saw over 600 getting out, getting active and meeting others. Sincere thanks to all who helped out and were part of the fun.
We look forward to many more walks later this year!
The men of the parish took centre stage this Spring with our Men on the Move Exercise Programme. Run over 12 weeks and delivered by our local fitness expert Ricky, the men enjoyed everything from strength and conditioning, walking and running. Huge thanks to Galway Sports Partnership who's funding allowed this community health initiative to take place. The benefits reaped from those who participated included improvements in walking times, overall fitness and weight loss!
Mental Fitness
This is a very important area for our Club and one we are extremely passionate about. Last year, we adopted the GAA's Mental Health Charter and for the 3rd year running Club coaches, players and parents have supported the Green Ribbon Campaign in May.
We also invited club and community members to participate in an anonymous survey entitled 'My Mental Health' - outcomes will be published online soon.
During May, a very informative public talk 'Supporting Young People's Mental Health' was delivered by Jigsaw Galway in association with Caherlistrane GAA and the new Kilcoona Caherlistrane Youth Hut.
Critical Incident Response Plan
Caherlistrane GAA has adopted a Critical Incident Response Plan which establishes clear, appropriate and safe guidelines outlining what to do in the case of a critical incident.
Questions on Healthy Club?
Alma O'Connell Healthy Club Officer Caherlistrane GAA