Durrow joins ranks of Offaly GAA's Healthy Clubs

THE GAA has taken enormous strides forward in recent years to welcome in and provide activities for all people in its communities through its Healthy Club initiative and Durrow have now joined the ranks of the Offaly GAA clubs who have achieved this status.

Their Healthy Club programme is a terrific initiative, aimed at promoting health and well-being outside of their core structures of providing the games of football and hurling for the participation of younger people and the enjoyment of all ages.

It aims to help GAA clubs and community achieve health and well-being goals that reflect the national policy agenda for sport, physical activity, mental health and preventative health.

The programme has six main targets:

Physical activity;

Diversity and inclusion;

Community development;

Mental fitness;

Substance use and gambling awareness;

Healthy eating.

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Offaly GAA has a designated officer, Liam Hackett, who oversees the implementation of the programme on a county wide basis and assists clubs to meet the criteria needed to achieve Healthy Club status, which is an 18 month to two year process.

A number of clubs in Offaly have achieved this in recent years and Durrow GAA has become the latest one, holding a launch last week.

For years, the only GAA outlet for providing activity for people who were too old for or were unable to play football or hurling, or simply wanted to engage another part of their personalties, was the Irish music, dance and culture competitions of Scor – a valued part of the GAA ethos, it had a large but niche following and the organisation has spread its arms much wider in recent years.

With the GAA currently in the midst of an extraordinary programme of development and land acquisition at all levels, many have provided all weather pitches and walking tracks, including Durrow. These have been instrumental in attracting in new members in their community and the benefits are considerable for all – locals get a new outlet for activity and social fun while the GAA gets new members that may contribute in a variety of ways.

Retired Colaiste Choilm, Tullamore teacher John Lydon outlined the whole process at last week's form launch in front of a large crowd. The passion and enthusiasm of the gathering was evident and Mr Lydon spoke about a comprehensive local programme of activity and the enjoyment all participants have got from it.

Durrow GAA's programme of activity has included:

• Activator pole walks;
• Social soccer;
• Gentle exercise classes;
• Couch to 5k;
• Recreational running/walking;
• Development of club policies on substance abuse, gambling, etc

Describing Durrow GAA as being the “heart of the community,” he stated that they have enabled to provide activities for people from all backgrounds and walk of life, to help one another and to improve health and diet.

Club chairman Stephen Ravenhill said it was fantastic to see the club prosper. “We have a lot done and more to do,” he added, remarking that it was important to encourage people from all walks of life to help one another and improve their health and diet.

Two participants, Marian Grennan and Vera Begley spoke about the enjoyment they have got from the programme, the outlet the weekly activities have given them. “It has been a very positive experience,” smiled Ms Grennan.

Deputy Tony McCormack, TD, congratulated the club on their achievements, remarking: “The Healthy Club programme is about looking after ourselves and each other and ensuring the club and community continue to thrive. Durrow GAA is a very good example of what a healthy community looks like.”

He stated that the GAA is about more than football and hurling and is also about helping each other and building friendships, making sure everyone can feel connected. “The club is at the heart of the community and genuinely cares about its people,” he said.

Long serving club stalwart Charlie Kelleher spoke about the provision of activities for older people and keeping them active, both physically and socially. “Durrow is a great community, a diverse community,” he said proudly, stating that the club now caters for young children up to people progressing through retirement into old age. “Your health is your wealth,” he said.

Liam Hackett, Offaly GAA, congratulated Durrow GAA on doing so much with the programme.