Gaelic4Mothers National Blitz 2010
- Oct 18,2010
Last Saturday, on a perfect day for football nearly 900 mothers, sisters and daughters came out in force to sunny Portmarnock to take part in the National Gaelic4Mothers Blitz Day.
Naomh Mearnóg GAA Club were the hosts and in conditions more associated with June than October, the women representing 70 teams and 19 counties, had a great day of football and fun in a celebration of this great initiative by Ladies Football.
Indeed, the numbers participating were an accurate reflection of just how successful this initiative has been as over double the amount of players that took part in last year’s National Blitz signed up.
The Gaelic4Mothers initiative was developed as a way of involving mothers and older women in their local clubs in a more meaningful, healthy and sociable way. Previously many of the women involved would have merely acted as a Drop ‘n’ Go service for their children and partners and there was no connection with the club for them.
Gaelic4Mothers now offers them an opportunity to play the game in a fun, non-competitive and social environment and it is proving to be a huge hit with women of all ages, abilities and sporting prowess.
It allows them to get their recommended weekly exercise in a fun way while meeting other mothers in the area. Gaelic4Mothers brings a whole new social aspect to clubs and also provides parents with an invaluable insight into the club scene.
The National Blitz Day was a celebration of this great initiative and coming only weeks after the Gaelic4Mothers exhibition matches in Croke Park on All Ireland Finals Day, it capped off what has truly been a remarkable 12 months for those associated with it.
“Gaelic4Mothers has become one of our most successful initiatives and we’re delighted that the National Blitz attracted so many people. We are up over 100% on last year’s numbers,” said Paula Prunty, National Games Development Officer.
“I think the fact that the football in Gaelic4Mothers is played in a non-competitive and fun way, and offers a real social outlet for mothers, this has made the programme a huge hit. That’s leaving aside the health benefits of getting out and about.
“Last Saturday in Portmarnock was a fantastic day and was a brilliant way to celebrate this wonderful initiative and I would like to congratulate all those involved both in Naomh Mearnóg GAA Club and in the clubs participating for such a great day .”
If your club is interested or you are a mother interested in setting this up in your club, please contact Paula Prunty, National Games Development Officer, (01) 8363156 or email: paula@ladiesgaelic.ie
Seven Dublin clubs were represented at the blitz. Cuala, Lucan Sarsfields, Round Towers Clondalkin, St Monica
Short video of the day can be found by clicking here
Below are some images from the day out, more images can be found by clicking here
