Kilmessan GAA puts focus on 'Healthy' project
Kilmessan GAA including its hurling and camogie sections recently launched their Healthy Club project.
The launch recently coincided with the finale of a 24-hour walkathon to raise funds for the juvenile pitch development.
The Healthy Club project aims to help GAA clubs explore how they support the holistic health of their members and the communities they serve. GAA clubs already contribute to the health and wellbeing of their members by providing opportunities to develop their physical, social, emotional, and psychological health. The aim of the Healthy Club project is to transform the clubs into hubs for health within the community.
The Kilmessan Hurling and Camogie club recently carried out a survey with their members and the wider community to look at what areas of health are prioritised. It was also an opportunity to identify what the camogie and hurling clubs are already doing well, identify areas where they can or would like to improve, and empower the clubs to ensure that everyone who engages with Kilmessan GAA teams benefits from the experience in a health-enhancing way, be they players, officers, coaches, parents, supporters, or members of their local community.
As part of the project Kilmessan GAA has appointed Healthy Club Officers and a Healthy Club Committee to drive the project forward.
"Our aim is for our clubs to become a hub for health in our community," added Breda Kelliher, joint Healthy Club officer. "Our Camogie Club sees great success on the field of play. It provides great opportunities for girls to socialise, play, and enjoy regular physical activity opportunities. We hope being part of the Healthy Clubs Project will build on this foundation and provide our Clubs with a framework to ensure all aspects of our club are health enhancing and inclusive. We want everyone to join us on our journey."
Lisa Smith, joint Healthy Club Officer adeded: "The Hurling Club have worked very hard to develop our facilities here in Kilmessan and our state of the art walking track is a great resource for our local community. This shows that we are not just concerned about our players but also the wider community. As part of the Healthy Club project, we took part in ‘Ireland Lights Up’ earlier this year."
On Thursday 23rd June Kilmessan GAA Healthy Club presents an evening with Rory O Connor (Rory’s Stories) in the Kilmessan pavillion.
" The healthy club model, which is based on best national and international practice, also aims to embed a healthy philosophy in a club while integrating health into the day-to-day club activities in a sustainable way. It also aims to place the local GAA club at the heart of the community, making it a beacon for health in the locality," added Deirdre Donohoe who is also part of the imaginative project at Kilmessan Hurling and Camogie Club.