Unforgettable memories were made during the 2024 ZuCar Gaelic4Teens Festival Days held in Offaly and Dublin!

Participants departed with memories to cherish for a lifetime following the 2024 ZuCar Gaelic4Teens Festival Days held across venues in Offaly and Dublin.

The Faithful Fields Offaly Centre of Excellence and the GAA’s National Games Development Centre in Abbotstown buzzed with activity during the Festival Days, which occurred on Saturday, April 27, and Monday, May 6. 

The Faithful Fields Offaly Centre of Excellence and the GAA’s National Games Development Centre in Abbotstown buzzed with activity during the Festival Days, which occurred on Saturday, April 27, and Monday, May 6, respectively.

In Offaly, eight clubs from Cork, Cavan, Mayo, Tipperary, and Westmeath were present, while another eight clubs from Antrim, Armagh, Down, Dublin, and Westmeath joined in Dublin.

These special days witnessed 16 clubs from nine counties sharing their experiences of the 2024 program, with players benefiting from valuable insights from ZuCar Gaelic4Teens ambassadors, notable former or present inter-county stars.

Participants engaged in 7-a-side games and absorbed advice from ambassadors on various topics including nutrition, hydration, and lifestyle management.

Once again, the program greatly benefited from the sponsorship of ZuCar, LGFA’s Official Performance Partner and sponsor of the All-Ireland U18 Championships.

Gaelic4Teens has significantly expanded since its successful pilot in 2017, aiming to retain current players while also recruiting those in the 13-17 age bracket, a demographic often prone to dropping out of the sport.

The ZuCar Gaelic4Teens program collaborated closely with coaches, influencing coaching session content and enhancing communication strategies to engage players effectively.

Moreover, the program focused on creating coaching environments conducive to the long-term development of players within clubs.

Besides tailored training sessions, there was an emphasis on education, with Gaelic4Teens ambassadors providing expertise and advice alongside fellow inter-county stars throughout the program.

Representatives from the 20 participating clubs in the full Gaelic4Teens Program attended six sessions led by ZuCar Gaelic4Teens ambassadors and engaged with self-led modules.

Furthermore, each club will receive a visit from a ZuCar Gaelic4Teens ambassador or county player to conduct a coaching session and witness theory put into practice.

Research informing the Gaelic4Teens program highlighted that players engage in the sport for enjoyment, improvement, fitness, stress relief, and socializing, while reasons for discontinuing include lack of playing time, training enjoyment, excessive competitiveness, and perceived unfair treatment.

The festival days at the Faithful Fields and GAA National Games Development Centre effectively showcased key messages for both players and coaches.

LGFA President Mícheál Naughton commented:“Well done and congratulations to the 20 clubs, covering the four provinces, who participated in the 2024 ZuCar Gaelic4Teens programme. This programme is extremely vibrant and has the ability to transform coaching philosophies in the participating clubs, and ensure that excellent foundations are in place for the years to come. The programme aims to build on the good work that has already been accomplished, while also encompassing invaluable knowledge and expertise from our leading ZuCar Gaelic4Teens ambassadors. I would also like to acknowledge the support of our programme sponsors, ZuCar, who are also the LGFA’s Official Performance Partner and sponsors of our All-Ireland Minor Championships. ZuCar are extremely invested in the ongoing development and progress of our teenage players and they played a key role in the rollout of the 2024 ZuCar Gaelic4Teens programme.”

Gavin Hydes, Group CEO, ZuCar, added:“We are exceptionality proud of our association with the Gaelic4Teens programme. Developing this underage talent is fundamental to the future and we were very excited to be involved with an initiative that is aimed at developing coaches and increasing the retention rate of teenage girls in Ladies Football. This was a wonderful opportunity for coaches to grow and learn, and to then assist young players involved in the LGFA.”

The 20 clubs who took part in the 2024 ZuCar Gaelic4Teens programme are as follows:

Connacht (4): St Mary’s (Leitrim), Mayo Gaels and Carnacon (both Mayo), St Molaise (Sligo)

Leinster (5): Ballyboden St Enda’s and St Sylvester’s (both Dublin), Moynalvey (Meath), Goldsmiths and Shandonagh (both Westmeath)

Munster (5): Dohenys, Mallow, Rathpeacon, Kilshanning (all Cork), Ardfinnan (Tipperary).

Ulster (6): Naomh Seamus (Antrim), Pearse Ógs and Whitecross (both Armagh), Mullahoran (Cavan), St Patrick’s Saul and Teconnaught GAC (both Down).

For further information, please contact LGFA Head of Coach Development William Harmon: william.harmon@lgfa.ie