RGU GAC Future Stars After School's Programme

Aim

Support our fantastic Future Stars' After Schools Programme and inspire the next generation of GAA stars in Downpatrick

Who are we?

Russell Gaelic Union Gaelic Athletic Club is based in Downpatrick Co Down. Our community facilities provides Gaelic Games coaching as well as overall health, wellbeing, fitness and social support to the local Downpatrick community. 

Our community facilities organises, promotes and competes in Gaelic Games and other associated cross community activity for all, regardless of age, gender, background or ability within the Downpatrick area. 

The club aims to enhance community cohesion and community spirit and is driven by strong amateur and volunteer ethos. Through our community facilities we aim to improve the physical, mental and social wellbeing of all in our local community and build the confidence of all those in the local area to partake in sport, health, wellbeing and community activities. 

Our club is home to two playing pitches, a synthetic multi-sports pitch, a hard surface playing area and a 1km floodlit Trim Trail

Why are we crowdfunding?

We are crowdfunding to support our Future Stars After School’s Programme. This amazing programme has the potential to provide for children at our three local schools access to an after school's Gaelic Games coach at no cost to them or their schools. This exciting new initiative will be fully funded by RGU, and with your generous support on this platform, we plan to ignite passion for Gaelic Games in the 2025/26 school year. 

This a new initiative for our club in partnership with our 3 local primary schools and part of a bigger plan of school's engagement through our Future Stars Programme. We aim to provide fully vetted and qualified GAA coaches to provide age specific training, mobility and general movement with a view to establishing a core set of motor skills relating to gaelic games. At the centre of this is the creation of new and fun experiences, enjoyable and rewarding giving young children a sense of achievement. All leading to establishing a positive relationship with sport and physical activity. 

This is a new initiative aimed at creating an introduction to Gaelic games to those who do not come from the traditional GAA background and providing an extra outlet for those children who already have an interest in sport and our games. All children will be given equal opportunities with no barriers due to cost, location, time, sportswear or equipment. 

The impact of our programme will speak for itself–it's not just a sports initiative, but a community builder that will create friendships, teamwork and enjoyment for our national game among children in our 3 local schools and bring them together in an combined schools blitz at their local GAA club.

We want to provide equal opportunities across all our schools for both boys and girls, and make sure all children regardless of background has access to sport and well-being programmes and facilities. This programme will be run during the week as an after school's project separate from club activity. But our weekend club activities will be advertised, and all children will be invited and encouraged to attend. Children will be encouraged to become members as part of the drive to increase social and community interaction and awareness.

How we'll spend the money raised

We will spend any money raised here on providing coaching and equipment for our After Schools Future Stars Programme. We will provide a coach to each school, both male and female to enhance and compliment the statutory physical education programmes currently carried out in each school.

The project will be divided into 3 x 5-week blocks. Each block will concentrate on a specific group, Block 1 - P6 & 7, Block 2 - P4 & 5, Block 3 - P2 & 3. This will allow us to plan for different ages and different levels of ability, allowing us to tailor the approach to each block's specific needs. 

These blocks will take place in the period Oct 2025 - Mar 2026

Each week will concentrate on core skills, movement and game sense adapted to each age group:-

P2 & 3 - Develop coordination for catching, passing, striking ball. Develop basic motor skills using bean bags, balls. Develop fundamental movement skills of Ability, Balance and Coordination and Running & Jumping. Develop the understanding of fair play, sportsmanship and the basic rules of the game. Develop an awareness of drinking during exercise and good and healthy foods.

P4 & 5 - Refine the skills of catching, passing and striking. Start to develop both sides of body. Start to implement decision making in open play games. Develop communication and awareness of support play. Develop the fundamental of ABC and RJ through small-sided games. Start to develop physical ability, running and endurance and mobility. Learn to appreciate the rules, order and discipline. Develop good habits, teamwork and social skills.

P6 & 7 - Refine fundamental skills of catching, passing and striking. Refine the use of both sides of the body. Improve decision making and simple patterns of play with small sided games. Develop simple positional sense. Refine the ABCs and RJ activities. Improve mobility and strength through simple exercises. Introduce structured warms ups. Develop understanding of rules and structures. Development of good home practice habits. Understanding the relationship between effort and reward. Improve teamwork, interaction and social skills. 

At the end of each coaching block, we shall bring each primary year to our own club facilities to show them the opportunities which they can avail of to improve their health, fitness, and social and mental well-being. At the club they can start to develop a positive attitude to Gaelic games through the understanding of relationships with place, community and role models.

All children will be able to access this programme with the sole aim of levelling the playing field in terms of access to sporting opportunities, and providing a chance for children from different areas and backgrounds to meet, mix and form friendships. We will also target children living in areas of greatest need (based on NISRA NI Multiple Deprivation Measures) based on the areas in which our club is located.

Funding will be spent on a 15 week After Schools Programme with additional equipment purchased for each school. We will also provide transport for the schools to allow them to attend our after schools blitz at our club grounds.

15 weeks x 3 times per week x 2hrs @£22.50/hr x 2 coaches = £4,050

Each session will last for 1.5hrs with 0.5hrs allocated to set-up and tidy up, total of 2hrs.

30 Footballs @ £20 each = £600

Refreshments at our 6 (P2-P7) blitz days = £500. Fresh fruit, juice drinks, water for 250 children.

Bus transport for 6 blitzes (P2-P7), school to RGU and back 6 times @ £150ea = £900

Promotional flyers and advertising = £200

Community impact

These additional programmes will help us retain and increase our youth membership with a focus on providing additional opportunities for young females and the disadvantaged; increase participation in team events and provide a long term pathway towards our Senior teams and a life long dedication to our club and a healthy lifestyle. We aim to be a central sporting hub in our community welcoming to all.

This project will have a lasting impact on our community by opening access to Gaelic games for children who’ve traditionally been excluded—especially girls, and those from more socially deprived backgrounds. It creates opportunities for new friendships, improved wellbeing, and stronger community connections. By removing barriers such as transport, inexperience, or lack of tailored coaching, we will give every child a fair chance to take part and 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