The Healthy Club Project

The Healthy Club Project (HCP) was established in 2013. Its aim is simple: To make the GAA a healthier place for everyone to enjoy.

Blessington GAA got involved with the HCP in phase 4 in December 2019. The team included, Lisa Jackson: Healthy Club Officer. Michelle Richardson, Karen Richardson, Nessa  Quinlan, Graham Keogh, Dave Greville and Simon Taylor.

The project length was 18 months and it’s been the best learning experience for all of us. We’ve had so much fun along the way. The Covid pandemic came into effect at the very start of our programme so we had to look for alternative ways of making our club a healthier place all round. We set up a Covid support group where we shopped for some members of the community and dropped off care packages. The biggest achievement that we are all most proud of is the Start up of our All Stars group. This is a non competitive introduction to GAA for children and young teenagers with additional needs. The response has been amazing and we have been a support to other clubs looking to start up their own group. Just recently Lisa & Michelle were invited to Croke Park to speak at a HCP workshop to give others an insight as to what the All Stars are about.

The group runs every Sunday morning from 10am-11am and you can contact:

Karen Richardson 086 892 4292, Rachel O’Donovan 087 608 8246 or Declan Reape 087 051 3527 for further details.

We finished the project mid 2022 and received our accredited award as been recognised as a Health Club, and we then entered into the next phase.  There is 3 levels of achievement: Foundation level, Silver and Gold. And in our typical style we went straight for the Gold standard which we have now achieved and are awaiting to receive our new plaque that will be proudly displayed in our Clubhouse.

Along the way the team spurned on by Michelle’s fantastic initiative bought 2 beautiful benches that we put in beside our main pitch and then invited members of the community to add a bench in memory of their loved ones. There has been a hugely positive response to this and we now have 8 beautiful benches around our main pitch for everyone to sit and relax.

Along this journey them team have all taken part in many courses which include Autism in sport training, CPR and defib training, SafeTALK and Assist. The club now has many policies in place including Problem gambling awareness, substance and alcohol abuse. We also became a Smoke/Vape free club in 2020.

Lisa is still involved with the HCP as well as taken on the role of vice chair of the Wicklow Health & Well being committee and Karen Richardson has just come on board as the Inclusion & Diversity officer.

In September 2023 we were officially recognised as a GOLD AWARD Healthy Club. This is a brilliant achievement of our team and our club. Well done everyone!!

We still have plenty more projects planned for the club and if you would like to join our brilliant team then contact Lisa Jackson 086 376 7534 or Michelle Richardson 086 373 4748 for more details.

The Healthy Club Team