Registration open for Irish Life GAA Healthy Club Conference

The GAA has confirmed that 526 clubs nationwide have been awarded official Healthy Club status, recognising their work in promoting health, inclusion, and wellbeing in their communities. Notably, 175 clubs are receiving this award for the very first time, highlighting the programme’s growth and impact across the country. To date over 600 clubs have engaged in the Irish Life GAA Healthy Club programme.

This announcement comes as registration opens for the Irish Life GAA Healthy Clubs Conference 2025, which will take place on November 22^nd, 2025, in Croke Park. This year’s conference theme is Community Champions.

The conference will feature a keynote address by Tony Griffin, former Clare hurler, author, and co-founder of the Soar Foundation. Griffin is widely recognised for his inspiring journey from elite sport to championing youth empowerment and community wellbeing. His address will set the tone for the day, reflecting the theme Community Champions by challenging and motivating clubs to continue leading positive change both on and off the field.

Alongside the keynote address, the conference programme includes:

• Interactive workshops on age-friendly clubs, tackling gender-based violence, youth leadership, and inclusivity.
• A player panel featuring intercounty stars discussing wellbeing, resilience, and community engagement.
• An exhibition space showcasing health, wellbeing, and inclusion resources for clubs nationwide.

The Irish Life GAA Healthy Club Programme is one of Ireland’s largest community health movements, empowering clubs to go beyond games by supporting the physical, mental, and social wellbeing of members and the wider community.

Clubs have implemented projects ranging from smoke-free grounds and walking groups to mental health workshops, diversity programmes, and age-friendly activities. In the 2024–25 period alone, clubs in the Irish Life GAA healthy clubs programme rolled out more than 4,034 initiatives, accessed 305,239 times by 152,619 individuals. Research carried out in 2023 indicates that participants take part in an average of two activities each suggesting engaging/participating in one activity is a gateway to further participation. The growth and impact of the Irish Life GAA Healthy Clubs programme could not have been achieved without the long-term support of our title sponsors, Irish Life, with further support from the Tomar Trust, the HSE, the National Office for Suicide Prevention, and Healthy Ireland.

Uachtarán CLG Jarlath Burns said: “The greatest privilege of being Uachtarán is the opportunity to travel the length and breadth of the country to see the work of our clubs and how proudly they serve the people and communities they represent. I recently had the opportunity to view this from above, crossing the country by helicopter and being able to gaze down in wonder at the fantastic pitches and facilities in every parish, village, town and city. The Irish Life GAA Healthy Club Programme not only supports this but adds significantly to what a GAA club is by offering a hand of friendship and support not just on the field but in abundance off of it through its wide range of initiatives. I am delighted to see more and more of our clubs embrace the opportunities that come with being a Healthy Club. Your members and communities will thank you, and we are delighted that our original partners in this inspiring venture, Irish Life, remain such loyal supporters and sponsors of this life changing and transformative work.”

Decan Bolger CEO, Irish Life said “At Irish Life, we’re proud to support the Irish Life GAA Healthy Club programme, to help people live healthier lives and strengthen community connections.

I would like to congratulate all the GAA clubs that have been recently awarded their Irish Life GAA Healthy Club accreditation. This reflects the incredible commitment of volunteers who dedicate so much of their own time to driving health and wellbeing initiatives within their club and wider community.

We look forward to the National Conference and celebrating the inspiring work happening across Ireland”.

Registration for the 2025 Irish Life GAA Healthy Clubs Conference is now open on https://forms.office.com/e/NbiVZH4jhF

Applications for new clubs to join the Irish Life GAA Healthy Clubs Programme opens November 22^nd on www.healthyclubs.gaa.ie