Game Changers at Collegeland O'Rahillys GAC

Who are we?

We are Collegeland O'Rahillys GAC based on the Armagh side of the Armagh Tyrone border! Our Club provides opportunities through sport for our entire community through GAA activities but also wider community health and wellbeing initiatives.

In 1961 Collegeland won the Armagh senior Football championship for the first and as yet only time in the clubs history. Our senior mens team won the junior championship last season 2024.

Currently, we provide football and cultural activities to our members from Underage right up to Senior level. A major focus of our Club in 2025 is developing more opportunities for females. For example, we are working towards a senior Camogie team for the first time!

Our facilities include 1 full sized GAA Pitch, a walking trail which is utilised by families throughout our rural community, changing facilities, small gym and community hall. We recently secured land to develop a new pitch at our facilities, which will be a major development going forward.

 We achieve our community objectives by contributing positively through shared facilities, programmes, and initiatives for all in and around our rural catchments.

Why are we crowdfunding?

At Collegeland O'Rahillys, we are passionate about fostering a vibrant and inclusive sporting community, especially for girls, youth, and women. To bring our vision to life, we are embarking on an ambitious crowdfunding campaign to raise £10,000. Here’s why this funding is vital to our initiative:

1. Supporting Girls and Youth Sport Development

• Opportunity Creation: The funding will directly support our new girls’ and youth programme, running from February to March 2025, which aims to provide a range of activities, including Camogie, Gaelic football, and fitness sessions.
• Skill Development: With your support, we can offer enhanced coaching and workshops to enhance participants’ skills and confidence.
• Encouraging Active Lifestyles: We aim to get young people outdoors, active, and engaged in fun and healthy activities.

2. Empowering Women in Leadership and Coaching

• Increasing Female Participation: Part of our initiative focuses on encouraging women to take up leadership roles in coaching, volunteering, and club management within our committees.
• Expanding Our Senior Camogie Team: The funding will enable us to provide essential resources and training opportunities for our newly formed senior Camogie team.

3. Enhancing Community Engagement

• Collaborating with Local Groups: By working with local groups outside our Club, we’ll inspire more young people to try new sports and activities.
• Promoting Health and Wellbeing: Our walking track will be promoted as a hub for “walk and talk” sessions, jogging, and other fitness activities, bringing people together in a supportive environment.

4. Addressing Rural Community Needs

• Limited Sporting Opportunities: As a rural community, access to diverse sporting programmes is often limited. Our initiative provides a chance for everyone, regardless of experience, to get involved.
• Breaking Barriers: By making sports more accessible, we aim to engage individuals who might not have considered participating before.

5. Matching Fund Opportunity with Sport NI

• Double Your Impact: Every pound you donate will be matched by Sport NI, up to £5,000, doubling the value of your contribution and helping us reach our target faster.
• Ensuring Long-Term Impact: The funds raised will not only support this initiative but also lay the foundation for sustainable future programmes.

Crowdfunding allows us to bring our entire community together to invest in a brighter future for Collegeland O'Rahillys. Every donation, no matter how small, will make a significant difference in creating opportunities, promoting fitness, and empowering the next generation of leaders in sport. 

How we’ll spend the money raised

Funding will allow us to cover the following:

Our target is to raise £10,000. This is broken down as follows:

1. Project-Specific Equipment (£6,790)

Footballs (50 @ £25 each): £1,250

Training cones (5 sets of 50 @ £30 each): £150

Bibs (100 @ £5 each): £500

Yoga mats (40 @ £50 each): £1000

Gym equipment for fitness and wellbeing programmes: £1,250

Oneills All Ireland Camogie Ball x 56 @ £5 each= £280

Murphys Wexford Ash Hurling Stick 28inch @ £25 each x 20= £500

Murphys Wexford Ash Hurling Stick 30inch @ £28 each x 20= £560

Murphys Wexford Ash Hurling Stick 32inch @ £30 each x 20= £600

Oneills quick touch camgoie ball 12 pack @ £90 each x 4= £360

Oneills smart touch camgoie ball 12 pack @ £90 each x 4= £360

Oneills First touch camgoie ball 12 pack @ £120 each x 4= £480

2. Upskilling Opportunities for Volunteer Coaches (£2,100)

GAA Coach Education Programme (7 coaches @ £300 each): £2,100

3. Expert Coaching Costs (£1,050)

Strength and Conditioning Coach for Senior Camogie Team @ £750 (25 hours £25 per hour).

Walk Leader / Couch 25k coach @ £20 per hour x 15 hours= £300

4. Promotional Costs (£60)

Local advertising campaign and social media

Community Impact

Our project has huge positive community impacts, and it aligns with Sport NI's creating opportunities as follows: 

Levelling the Playing Field

• Our project focuses on engaging groups traditionally underrepresented in sports, including girls, young people, and women in our rural community.
• By encouraging female participation in Camogie, Gaelic football, coaching, and leadership roles, we aim to break down barriers to participation and leadership within sports.

New and Additional Initiatives

• This project introduces a new girls’ and youth programme, emphasizing skill-building, fitness, and community engagement.
• The initiative goes beyond regular club activities, such as promoting our walking track for fitness and “walk and talk” sessions to foster well-being and social connections.

Connecting Communities

• Collaborating with local groups ensures more people can engage with sports and physical activity.
• The project creates a shared community focus, bringing people together through organized events, shared facilities, and inclusive participation.

The project directly targets Sport NI’s focus groups, including:

• Women and Girls: Increasing their engagement in sport and leadership roles.
• Young People: Inspiring new generations to take up Camogie, Gaelic football, and fitness activities.
• Rural Communities: Addressing the unique challenges of a rural area, such as limited access to sporting opportunities and facilities.

Promoting Long-Term Resilience and Growth

• The programme not only boosts participation but also builds future sustainability by developing leadership pathways and increasing club membership.
• Enhanced use of facilities like our walking track promotes year-round engagement and reinforces the club as a community hub.

Sport NI Objectives Alignment

• Increasing Participation: Offering accessible sports activities to a broader audience.
• Building Resilience: Empowering local women and youth with skills and leadership roles, ensuring the club’s future strength.
• Innovation in Delivery: Combining sport with well-being initiatives like the “walk and talk” sessions.

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!