Clogher Eire Ogs Level The Playing Field

Who are we?

Our rural community Club was formed in 1938, and is located within the Clogher Valley area of County Tyrone. The club provides Gaelic Games coaching as well as overall health, educational and social support to the Clogher community and surrounding rural communities. Our Club has 240 members. Of which youth is 140. Our facility also is vitally important for local rural groups. 

Our facilities are located just off the Main Street and main thoroughfare from Belfast to Enniskillen. The Club organises, promotes and competes in Gaelic Games and other sporting activities for all, regardless of age, gender, background or ability within the Clogher Valley and outlying rural areas. We also has a shared community gym facility, which is used by all.

Why are we crowdfunding?

We are crowdfunding to deliver an 8-week fitness and walking football programme for older adults and those with cardiac issues in rural Clogher, 2 hours per week from Feb to March. 

This programme will help us provide inclusive physical activity opportunities, fostering social connections and improving the health and well-being of vulnerable rural community members here in Clogher.

Aligned with Sport NI’s Creating Opportunities initiative, our project directly supports the programme’s goals to improve access to sport and physical activity, particularly for underrepresented groups such as older people and rural residents.

By breaking down barriers to participation, we will enhance physical and mental well-being, combat rural isolation, and strengthen community cohesion. 

Programme Activities Over 8 Weeks

Week 1: Welcome & Health Assessments

• Introduction session to meet participants and explain the programme goals (20 participants).
• Baseline health checks (e.g., blood pressure, heart rate) conducted by qualified professionals.
• Light warm-up and introductory walking football drills.

Week 2: Low-Impact Fitness Training

• Guided fitness session focusing on gentle exercises to improve flexibility, strength, and balance.
• Walking football basics

Week 3: Building Endurance

• Circuit-based fitness session tailored to participants' abilities at our gym.
• Small-sided walking football games to enhance stamina and social interaction.

Week 4: Cardiovascular Health Focus

• Educational talk on heart health and managing cardiac conditions.
• Light aerobic exercises on our walking track, followed by walking football drills emphasising movement and agility.

Week 5: Social Connections & Skills

• Fitness activities in pairs or groups to encourage teamwork and social bonding at our gym.
• Walking football practice match with coaching on tactics and strategy.

Week 6: Midpoint Check-In

• Reassess health metrics to track progress.
• Fun, themed walking football games to celebrate achievements so far.

Week 7: Confidence & Competition

• Fitness session focused on improving participants’ confidence in their physical abilities at our gym.
• Mini walking football tournament to foster camaraderie and teamwork.

Week 8: Celebration & Progress

• Final health assessments to measure improvements.
• Friendly walking football match followed by a social gathering with refreshments at our club.
• Distribution of certificates and a feedback session for participants to share their experiences.

This structured programme ensures a balance of physical activity, education, and community building, tailored to the unique needs of older adults and those with cardiac issues.

How we’ll spend the money raised

We are aiming to raise £7,800 in total. Sport NI will match fund £3,900 of our total if we raise £3,900 ourselves. Fundraising will go towards the following:

- 2 Specialised coaches (qualified in older persons coaching and health checks) @ £35 per hour, 4 hours per week each (2 hours delivery and 2 hours prep, planning and evaluations) = £2,240

- GAA Portable Goals (set of 2) @ £3,200

- Training poles - set of 12 (x 12) = £600

- O'Neills Size 5 Footballs x 30 @ £40 each= £1,200

- O'Neills Size 4 Footballs x 14 @ £40 each= £560

Community impact

Our 8 week programme will improve access to sport and physical activity, particularly for underrepresented groups such as older people in rural Clogher Valley, to enhance physical and mental well-being. Our 8-week Fitness and Walking Football Programme aligns closely with the Sport NI Creating Opportunities objectives by addressing several key areas:

1. Increasing Participation Among Underrepresented Groups

• Target Audience:
  Our programme is specifically designed for older adults and individuals with cardiac issues in the rural Clogher area, groups often excluded from traditional sports due to age, health conditions, or geographic isolation.
• Barrier Removal:
  By tailoring activities to meet their physical abilities and creating an inclusive environment, the programme ensures these groups feel welcome and capable of participating.

2. Promoting Physical and Mental Well-Being

• Health Benefits:
  The walking football sessions and fitness activities are low-impact, reducing the risk of injury while improving cardiovascular health, mobility, and physical fitness.
• Mental Health:
  Social interaction and teamwork foster connections, reduce isolation, and promote mental well-being, especially crucial for older adults in rural areas.
• Educational Component:
  Sessions on cardiac health and wellness provide participants with tools to manage their health beyond the programme.

3. Creating Accessible Opportunities in Rural Areas

• Geographical Challenges:
  In rural Clogher, opportunities for structured physical activity are scarce, and transport challenges often hinder access to nearby facilities.
• Local Delivery:
  By delivering the programme within the community, we reduce travel barriers and ensure accessibility for participants.

4. Aligning with Sport NI’s Key Goals

• Breaking Down Barriers:
  We address both physical and psychological barriers to participation by offering adapted equipment, a supportive environment, and targeted fitness activities.
• Encouraging Lifelong Participation:
  Walking football is a sustainable, enjoyable sport that participants can continue beyond the programme, fostering long-term engagement.
• Community Engagement:
  The programme brings together individuals from across the rural community, fostering cohesion and strengthening local networks.

5. Building Sustainability

• Capacity Building:
  Equipment purchased for this programme (e.g., goals, footballs, poles) will remain available for future use, enabling similar initiatives to run sustainably.
• Participant Empowerment:
  By encouraging participants to take ownership of their fitness journeys, we help instill confidence and a proactive approach to their health.

How you can play your part

There are four simple ways to help us reach our target, and make this project a reality.

1. Make a pledge. Don’t delay if you’re going to support us because momentum is key to our success!

2. Spread the word. Share our project on your social media pages and tell the world to get behind us! The more people we reach, the more support we will get.

3. Offer rewards. Get involved if you are a local business by donating things we can offer to our supporters. We will give you a shout out!

4. Fundraise for us. If you want to run your own fundraiser – maybe a sponsored activity or similar – use the 'contact project' button at the top of our page to let us know. Setting up your own page only takes a few minutes and you won’t need any bank details. Just a fun idea!