Our club has achieved Foundation Healthy Club Status. This is a result of the large volume of activities' undertaken by our Healthy Club Committee and ensuring Bantry Blues policies, partners, activities and environment are aligned with supporting the holistic health of our members and community as outlined by the GAA community and health department in coordination and sponsored by Irish Life Health.
Our club was officially recognized as a Healthy Club in Mallow last week. Caroline Hodnett and Mark O’Donovan represented our healthy club team which also includes Debbie Delaney and Majella McCarthy at the event receiving the Healthy Club Recognition Plaque and certificate.
The Healthy Club Committee and volunteers have been very busy over the last eighteen months on ensuring that Bantry Blues meet the standards set for accreditation for the Irish Life GAA HEALTHY CLUB Programme. The Committee have taken part in many training sessions and attended the national Conference in Croke Park to ensure that they provide as much activities under the Healthy Club for the community
The clubs Healthy Clubs committee have organized
DARKNESS INTO LIGHT in conjunction with PIETA HOUSEs National Initiative where over 250 people from the local community took part
PROVIDED & PROMOTED HEALTHY EATING options at training / matches Healthy club Committee organised an info evening for the youth of Bantry and surrounding areas Bantry native Seanie McGrath gave a very informative presentation on “Practical tips for performance and wellbeing”. Seanie went through the stages of physical development, the importance of self-awareness and self-belief, and gave some helpful nutritional advice
Covid 19 Community Response We partnered with the local shops to deliver groceries to the most vulnerable in our community. We liaised with the local Gardai to ensure that we were able to provide the service.
CLIMB WITH CHARLIE Climb With Charlie, for Motor Neurone Ireland - two walks organized locally each assembling in the town sq. Cremin buses donated the transport to drop the hill walkers to Tralibawn . Noel O Mahoney came on board to lead a historical walk to Bantry House up to the Ropewalk, and both walks finished in the sq. Local musicians donated their time and talents to entertain the participants, while Bantry Business Association provided treats. It was a wonderful effort to show our solidarity with the cause and all came away with a feel good factor while raising funds .
BALL 4 ALL Bantry Blues Ball4All is an inclusive program that gathers once a week during the summer months on the Astro Turf. Sessions continue indoors from September to November. Each session starts with a circle game where everyone takes turns. The children choose the game they would like to play. They then work on their ball skills with drills adapted to fit the individual needs of each child. We then finish up with a tag or catching game incorporating turn-taking, waiting, and fair play. The main emphasis throughout these training sessions is on one simple goal: having FUN!
National Inclusion Fitness Day
BANTRY LIGHTS UP The walk encouraged people to come together as a community and walk and talk in a safe environment during the winter. Especially beneficial to those who lived alone and welcomed the opportunity to meet others for a stroll.
WALK & TALK For our Walk & Talk - We focused on the talk aspect and made it into a social event rather than just a walk. We encouraged people from the Community who otherwise would not be part of the GAA to participate, and whilst our numbers were small, we created an atmosphere for people to fully participate and were delighted with the wonderfully positive response.
Mark O'Donovan & Caroline Hodnett receiving the HEALTHY CLUB AWARD Certificate on behalf of Bantry Blues
HEALTHY CLUB AWARD CERTIFICATE
The Irish Life GAA Healthy Club Pathway
