Toomevara GAA club has recently received the necessary training and have become involved with the Healthy Club Project which is directed on a national level by a project team attached to Croke Park which includes representatives from the GAA, HSE, National Office of Suicide Prevention and the Irish Sports Council. The Healthy Club Project aims to transform GAA Clubs into Health enhancing hubs for their communities. Toomevara GAA is delighted to become involved in this initiative with a view to making the club a healthier place for everyone to enjoy and to become recognised as a Healthy Club. The main aim of the Healthy Club Project is to make the GAA club a hub for health, capable of providing their members and communities with programmes that support their physical emotional and social wellbeing.
Steps to Becoming a Healthy Club
There is a seven step process undertaken to become an accredited Healthy Club.
- Appoint Healthy Club Officer and Team
- Receive Healthy Club Training
- Club Mapping
- Community Consultation
- Develop and Activate Action Plan
- Host Local Launch
- Report and Reflect
The 7 step process is based on best practice and has been refined following feedback from participating clubs in the pilot stages of the Healthy Club project (HCP). The process covers an 18-month period and based on clubs experience, recommends the ideal time points for each step. By following these steps a club will be best positioned to ensure the work they undertake is:
- Recognised at a national level
- Responding to identified need within the club/community
- Supported by the Club, Community and appropriate partners
- Sustainable and well-planned
- Achieving real impact (can be measured-useful when seeking funding)
- Positively impacting on club members and the community
- Reflecting best practice
The consensus from pilot clubs is to focus on these “small steps that can achieve lasting impact”
A healthy club officer has been appointed to the club and a sub committee for the Healthy Club Project is currently being formed. For any persons wishing to become involved in this area please contact Club Chairperson Donal Shanahan 0872504315 or Club Secretary Patrick Hanley 0876737906.
Hike of the Devils Bit
The first event that was held in conjunction with the Toomevara Healthy Club Project was a 6K hike of the Devils Bit Mountain. The hike took place on Friday the 10th of May with a carefully chosen route which suited people of all ages and fitness levels. On the evening approximately 25 people attended in what proved to be a very sociable and enjoyable evening. Feedback from the group on the evening was extremely positive and it is envisaged that similar type walks and hikes will be organized by the Healthy Club Project team in the future.
Cardiac Screening
This Saturday the 20th of July it is anticipated that the club house will be a hive of activity with a Cardiac Screening day booked from 9am.Toomevara Healthy Club Project is very conscious of Sudden Adult Death syndrome and would encourage people in the locality to register online through AMS screening prior to the event at a cost of €67.50. However if you are a Laya Health Insurance customer this screening will be free of charge.
