Sport Northern Ireland Project Re-Boot: Activate has provided £600 of match funding
Girls Football Winter Programme
Banbridge, Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon, United Kingdom
Aim
The aim of this project is to get more females involved in sports and physical activity, especially those impacted by Covid 19.
Why Are We Fundraising?
Clann Na Banna CLG are keen to create new opportunities for girls to participate in sports and physical activity within our community. Specifically, we want to host additional sports sessions for females, with our volunteer network delivering activities that teaches new skills, improves health and promotes active lifestyles.
Covid 19 has severely disrupted our efforts to promote and encourage girls into Gaelic. Prior to the pandemic we were in our first year of establishing a girls Gaelic team. Many children have been forced to spend much of the last year inside without the chance of regular exercise, socialising with friends and family and playing the game we all love.
Our vision is to not only maintain current levels, but increase participation in sports and physical activity, enabling more females to access sports, and families to make use of the clubs activities. Having spoken to local schools, parents and wider community members, there is a need for increased services in relation to girls sports. We feel that with improved resources, volunteers can provide better services for girls and female players.
The money that we will raise will be used to help Clann Na Banna provide winter sessions for girls, creating opportunities for them to continue playing Gaelic, socialise with their peers and improve their wellbeing. Being part of a girls team helps promote a strong sense of self-esteem, encourages new friendships, brings a feeling of belonging and increases confidence. Covid 19 has had a serious impact on our young people's mental health and well-being, heightening feelings of anxiety and worry. By providing a Winter programme girls will be able to continue to thrive, increase physical fitness, develop good mental health and maintain a positive attitude. They will continue to build relationships with their coaches and teammates.
Money is needed for us to purchase new equipment and resources to support volunteers as they deliver sessions to support our girls and communities’ wellbeing. Currently, we have very little equipment to support girls’ sports, especially at younger age groups. During the winter months, sessions will be delivered in St. Patrick's College 3G pitches, so we require funds to cover the costs of venue hire, removing any potential barriers to participating. In addition to the above, the facilities will be open for parents and families to use to walk, run and exercise. Although the project aim is to get more females involved in sports and physical activities we believe this project will benefit the wider family.
What the future holds
Simply put we want to increase the number of girls playing Gaelic at underage level, this will enable us in the future to have a minor and senior ladies team. A lot of work has gone into promoting girls Gaelic Football. Three years ago we started with one U12 team, to date we now have an U5, U7, U9, U11, U13 team and for the first time we have an U15 team. We want to continue building on this success and expand the number of girls teams so that we cater for all age groups.
How Much Are We Trying to Raise?
Our target is £1200.
We know this is ambitious but we hope with your support we can get there. We will be able to provide regular football sessions over the winter months to our girls in the club and the community.
Even if you can't donate, please share this page, every action or donation helps our cause!
This project successfully funded on 1st December 2021