She Plays, She Leads

Aim: This project empowers women and girls to engage in Gaelic games, fitness, and leadership through inclusive programs at all life stages.

About our Gaelic Athletic Club

Derrylaughan Kevin Barry’s GAC formed in 1945, is a dedicated Gaelic Athletic Club and community-based volunteer organisation situated on the beautiful Loughshores of Washingbay, County Tyrone.

With inclusivity at the core of everything we do, we are committed to making sure that our Gaelic games and values improve the lives of our members, families, and the communities we serve.

Our goal is for everyone to be able to fully participate in our Gaelic games and culture, feel accepted, grow, and be motivated to continue their lifelong involvement within our Club and the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA).

It's time to use our Gaelic games to level the playing field and give women and girls access to play and participate in Gaelic Football at our Club.

Project Summary:

In February 2025, our club proudly launched its first-ever Ladies Gaelic Football programme, welcoming women and girls from age 3+ with no upper age limit. This marked a major milestone in our commitment to inclusion, providing a space where females of all backgrounds and experience levels could engage in Gaelic games, many for the very first time.

Building on that momentum, we are now expanding this vision through a new, multi-strand initiative to engage women and girls at all life stages. Our project focuses on three pillars:

• Youth Participation – nurturing future talent through a girls’ skills academy
• Adult Engagement – promoting inclusive, fun, and non-competitive access to Gaelic games and fitness
• Female Leadership – empowering women as coaches, mentors, and decision-makers within our club

This project is new and additional to our current activity, designed to remove barriers to participation and ensure that every woman and girl—whether they want to play, coach, support, or simply connect—feels welcome and valued at our club.

Project Components:

1. Gaelic4Mothers&Others (Social Gaelic Football)

Weekly non-competitive training sessions

•    Equipment (balls, cones, bibs, first aid)

•    Participation in regional blitz

•    Teamwear and refreshments for engagement

Focus: inactive or first-time adult participant

2. Youth Girls’ Development Academy (U10–U14)

• Weekly coaching led by trained female mentors

•   Skills & confidence workshops

•   End-of-season blitz and social event

•   Role model visits and girl-led team building

3. “Mum & Me” Fitness Sessions (6–8 weeks)

•  Parent/guardian + daughter physical activity series

•   Yoga, games, and Gaelic fundamentals

•   Delivered in a relaxed, social atmosphere

4. Women’s “Fit for the Field” Bootcamp

•   Circuit-based fitness for all levels

•   Strength, cardio, and well-being sessions

•   Progression pathway into Gaelic4M&O

5. Female Coach & Leader Development

• Coach education (GAA Foundation/Level 1)

•  Safeguarding and first aid courses

•  Mentoring for new female volunteers

•  Pathway into club committees and planning roles

6. Community Sports Inclusion Open Day

• One-day festival event to welcome new participants

- Taster sessions, health stalls, and food

-  Free and inclusive for all ages and backgrounds

Project Timeframe:

Start date: 1st June 2025

End date: 30th November 2025

Project Budget Breakdown (£10,000 Total)

1. Coaching & Delivery x 60 sessions across G4M&O, Youth, Bootcamp, and Mum & Me @ ~£71 per session - £4,250

2. Equipment: Balls, bibs, cones, portable goals, first aid kits, bootcamp mats - £1,150

    - Balls (20 x £15) £300

    - Bibs (40 x £4) £160

    - Cones (2 sets x £30) £60

    - Portable goals (1 set x £200) £200

    - Bootcamp mats (10 x £15) £150

    - First Aid kits £280

3. Facility Hire: Indoor/outdoor venues for 30 sessions @ £20 per session - £600

4. Coach Education: Training for 4 volunteers - £500

    - Foundation Coaching Course (4 x £90) £360

    - Safeguarding Training (4 x £20) £80

    - First Aid Training (4 x £15 £60

5. Transportation: Game days & trips (6–8 days @ ~£110/day) £800

6. Team-Building Days: Promoting bonding, wellbeing, and retention £2,700

    - Splash NI Trip (entry, lunch, programme, transport) £2,000

    - Additional Team Day (e.g., adventure centre) £700