Movember Ahead of the Game programme goes from strength to strength
Movember partners with the GAA and the GPA to launch the ‘Movember Ahead of the Game’ campaign at Croke Park in Dublin. In attendance are Ahead of the Game facilitators, from left, Iggy Clarke, Saoirse McCarthy, Domhnall Nugent, and Mary Kate Lynch. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile.
In February alone, 1150 players, coaches, parents and guardians have attended the Movember Ahead of the Game programme, and the GAA are delighted to announce that the Movember Ahead of the Game (MAOTG) Programme in partnership with the GPA and Movember, is now delivering workshops for county development and academy squads along with clubs.
MAOTG is a targeted early intervention mental health literacy programme created following the largest controlled trial in the world with respect to youth mental health. It is currently the most evidence-based sport-based mental health programme globally, with strong demonstrable impact. The programme uses the sporting environment to help young athletes, parents and coaches learn how to talk about and approach mental health in a way that is practical, relatable and performance focused.
The programme is delivered by past and present intercounty footballers, hurlers and camogie players from across the country. For clubs and development squads there is no cost associated with the delivery of the workshops as it is funded by Movember with support from Healthy Ireland and the National Office for Suicide Prevention.
In recent weeks Movember Ahead of the Game programme has been delivered to 8 different development squads across football, hurling & camogie, in Sligo, Mayo Westmeath, Dublin & Longford. Bringing players together to build confidence, understanding, and practical tools around mental fitness, resilience, and supporting teammates.
Pictured is the Sligo Development Squad that completed the Movember Ahead of the Game Mental Health Literacy Programme.
Why development squads?
Feedback from Development squads consistently highlights how relevant the programme is to the realities of being part of a panel — particularly the ups and downs of selection, performance pressure, and being in and out of teams.
Coaches have noted that it:
- Helps normalise the journey of being on and off panels
- Opens constructive conversations between players, parents, and coaches
- Supports resilience and mental fitness alongside physical performance
One coach shared:
“It helped me understand the importance of mental fitness and resilience. It would probably make you think twice about challenging a player whose body language suddenly changed. It makes you think there could be something else going on.”
From a player perspective:
“It was very beneficial and enjoyable because it was interactive. As a group I think it showed us how much support we have.”
And from a parent:
“For a teenager, hearing this supported by his sports team is incredibly important and normalises looking after mental health.”
“My son will have this information from a source he feels very strongly committed to. As a parent and health professional I try to use this information at home but for a teenager hearing it supported by his sports team is incredibly important and normalises looking after mental health”
Testimonials from Sligo GAA Coach Liam Óg Gormely & Sligo U20 Manager Stephen Henry can be viewed using the following links:
https://vimeo.com/reviews/d1be39f1-6637-4be6-86ff-0f2c0d2046b0/videos/1172986188
If your club or county development squad would be interested in hosting MAOTG workshop, you can express your interest via the link below.
EOI Link: https://share-eu1.hsforms.com/1NskWuNs_Teer-nFzptpLsg2e30uf
The aim is to create a shared understanding across the performance environment. Let’s help to support young players as they navigate the demands of high-performance sport and life beyond it.
If you have any queries please contact Stephen Quinn, stephen.quinn@gaa.ie.