Ulster GAACommunity Relations

Maura KellyCommunity Development Officer

What is the GAA?

• Sporting• Cultural• Community-based• Amateur• Volunteer-driven• Club-focused

The GAA Club

• Club is the grassroots of the GAA• Clubs boundaries were based on the Church’s

Parish structures• Pride of place• Family focused• Great tradition• Serving the Community...

...the entire Community?

Where has the GAA come from?• Established 1884• To preserve Irish Identity through

- culture - sport, past-times

- music, dance- language

• To in-still Irish confidence in being Irish“ a GAA for the preservation and cultivation of National pastimes” (Michael Cusack, a founding member of the GAA)

Has the GAA been successful?

• Gaelic Games are played in all corners of Ireland, and beyond

• Irish culture, song, dance, language very active in Irish life

• Predominantly Irish, Catholic, Nationalist membership

• Responsive to an Irish identity across 32 counties

Ireland’s Legacy

• Rule 21 (1918) – banned members of the British Occupational forces and RUC from being a member of the GAAAbolished in 2001

• Rule 42 – prevents any sports other than Gaelic Games being played in GAA pitchesStill exists

Since 2009 the GAA has changed it’s Mission Statement from being a non-sectarian and non-racist organisation to become an anti-

racist and anti-sectarian organisation

“We are dedicated to ensuring that our family of games, and the values we live, enrich the lives

of our members, families, and the communities we serve...we reach out to and

include all members of our society.”

The GAA Mission Statement

What does this mean for the GAA?

... self-examination

... many challenges

... change

... staying true to its purpose

... serving our Communities

Community Outreach

Community Outreach – why should the GAA bother?

• Large captive audience• Strong volunteer base• Vast infrastructure and resources base• Access to high-profile personalities• Membership from cradle to grave• A history of pride of place• A history of serving the community• It is the right thing to do – Now is the Time

Ulster GAA Community Outreach Projects

S.A.R.I

• Sport Against Racism Ireland• Ulster GAA co-ordinated high-profile GAA

players and managers to take part in DVD• Promotes unity through sport regardless of

nationality, race, religion, political opinion, age, gender, sexual preference, ability, class and so on

Unite Against Hate

• Office of First & Deputy First Minister; Equality Commission; Community Relations Council; and P.S.N.I

• Ulster GAA and I.F.A sporting partners in this anti-hate campaign

• High-profile GAA players ambassadors for the campaign

• High-profile GAA games used to promote the campaign

Game of Three Halves

• Ulster GAA, I.F.A and Ulster Rugby three largest participation sports in Ulster / N.Ireland

• Brings kids together in a cross-community event to give all sports a try

• Kids learn new skills while playing with kids they would normally never interact with

Cúchulainn Cup

• Ulster GAA’s flagship Community Outreach project

• Cross-community schools project for non-GAA participants

• Controlled, Maintained and Integrated sectors• 6 – 8 weeks of coaching• Annual Cúchulainn Cup Blitz• One team selected to travel to the Continental

Youth Competition each year

Other Projects

• Club Cultural Officer• “Have a Go Days”• GAA For All• Rural Community Network• Integrated Schools Competitions• Youthcom “Crossing The Bridges” • Stormont “Playball” Event• Shinty-Hurling competitions

Ulster GAA Community Development

• A committed Community Development Unit• Ryan Feeney - Head of Community

Development, Public Affairs and Strategy• Maura Kelly – Community Development

Officermaura.kelly.ulster@gaa.ie

028 378 17180

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