Sport Northern Ireland: Creating Opportunities has provided £5,000 of match funding
Ederney GAC- Rural Youth Participation
Enniskillen, Fermanagh and Omagh, United Kingdom
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Aim
Removing rural barriers to help more young people access, enjoy, and stay involved in Gaelic games through free, inclusive opportunities.
Who are we?
St Joseph's Ederney GAC is a volunteer-led community club at the heart of rural County Fermanagh. We provide Gaelic games and recreational opportunities for children, young people and adults of all abilities.
Our club is committed to creating an inclusive, welcoming environment where everyone has the opportunity to participate, develop skills and build lasting friendships. Through dedicated volunteers and strong community partnerships, we promote physical activity, health, well-being and social inclusion while supporting lifelong participation in sport.
Why are we crowdfunding?
We are crowdfunding to remove the barriers that prevent children and young people in our rural community from taking part in sport. Funding will provide free coaching, an equipment loan scheme, transport support and inclusive activities, ensuring that cost, location and lack of experience are not barriers to participation. The project will help more young people become active, improve their physical and mental well being, and create a lasting pathway into Gaelic games and lifelong involvement in our club.
We will deliver a new 12-week “Rural GAA Participation Programme” between October and December, specifically designed to engage children and young people who are not currently participating in sport. We aim to attract at least 40 new participants from Ederney and the surrounding rural communities through free, fun and inclusive Gaelic games sessions.
The programme will include weekly coaching, introductory activities, community taster sessions and opportunities to progress into regular club teams. An equipment loan scheme and transport support will help remove financial and geographical barriers.
This is an additional participation programme, providing opportunities beyond our existing club activities and creating a pathway for new participants to become active, confident and involved in Gaelic games.
12 weeks | 40 new participants | 12 weekly sessions | 3 community taster events | equipment loan scheme | transport support
As a rural community club focused on increasing access and participation, we are eligible to receive additional funding support to help maximise the impact of this project. Sport NI will provide up to 75% match funding up to a maximum of £5,000 through the Crowdfunder platform.
How we’ll spend the money raised - £6,667
1. Playing equipment & resources – £2,500
Gaelic footballs and training balls – £600
Cones, poles, agility ladders and other training equipment – £400
Bibs, markers and team equipment – £300
Junior/safety equipment – £400
Equipment for participants who don't have their own – £500
Additional/replacement equipment to support the programme – £300
2. Coaching & development – £2,000
Specialist coaching for the 12-week programme – £800
Additional youth participation sessions – £500
Inclusive coaching resources and session materials – £250
Inclusive coaching/coach education – £300
Volunteer development and mentoring – £150
3. Removing barriers to participation – £1,500
Free places on the 12-week programme – £400
Transport assistance for young people who have difficulty accessing training – £500
Equipment loan scheme for participants who cannot afford their own equipment – £400
Refreshments and participation costs at free taster/community sessions – £200
4. Community engagement & recruitment – £667
Community GAA taster/open days – £250
Promotion, posters and digital advertising – £150
Outreach with local schools and community organisations – £167
Recruitment and participant engagement activities – £100
Total: £6,667
Project delivery:
The funding will enable us to deliver a new 12-week Rural GAA Participation Programme, targeting approximately 40 children and young people who are not currently participating in Gaelic games or organised sport. The programme will provide free, accessible and welcoming opportunities while specifically addressing the financial, transport and confidence barriers that can prevent participation.
Community impact
This project will have a positive and lasting impact on our rural community by removing barriers that can prevent young people from accessing and enjoying Gaelic games. By providing free, inclusive opportunities, we aim to encourage more children and young people to participate, develop skills, build confidence and form lasting friendships. The initiative will strengthen community connections, support families and ensure everyone, regardless of background or financial circumstances, has the opportunity to be involved.
Through increased participation, we will create a more inclusive, active and connected community where young people can thrive.
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!
Funding method
Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 8th October 2026 at 9:15am