Volunteers at the heart of new National Club Summit

Gaelic games do not function without volunteers, and the inaugural Club Summit, delivered by Amazon.ie, is a new national event that has been created to connect, support and celebrate the volunteers at the heart of Clubs across the Gaelic games family.

Speaking at a media event in Croke Park today, representatives from the GAA, LGFA and Camogie Association outlined how the Club Summit represents a coordinated national response to the growing pressures facing Club volunteers, informed by direct engagement with Clubs.

Taking place on February 7 2026, the Club Summit will bring together hundreds of volunteers – including club officers, coaches, referees and grounds staff – for a full day of practical support, learning and networking.

Organisers said the focus of the event makes it a novel national initiative, bringing together all strands of the Associations for a single purpose: supporting volunteers in the roles that underpin every Club.

Dave Denieffe, Chairperson of the GAA Planning and Training Committee, said: “We know from our engagement and our conversations with Clubs that volunteers are under real pressure. The Club Summit is about responding to that reality with practical, meaningful support.”

Programme and Content

Across five core content areas – Developing Your Games; Running Your Club; Supporting Your People; Enhancing Your Facilities; and Contributing to Your Community – attendees will participate in role‑specific workshops, peer‑to‑peer networking, 30 expert‑led seminars and interactive forums.

Featured topics include:

• Coach Education
• Referee Development
• Player Welfare and Player Pathway
• Youth Player Interventions
• Governance and Club Planning
• Digital Communications
• AI & Technology
• Irish Language
• Demographics
• Club Commercials and Fundraising
• One Club Model
• Grant Funding and Capital Projects
• Green Clubs
• Pitch Maintenance
• Safe Club
• Safeguarding
• Youth Development
• Officer Development
• Volunteerism
• Player Injury Fund
• Diversity & Inclusion
• Physical Activity and Social Games
• Community Development
• Substance Use and Gambling Awareness
• Healthy Eating and Mental Fitness
• Critical Incident Response
• Utilising and Maximising Club Facilities
• Game Changers

Tyrone icon and Errigal Ciarán GAC Vice Chairperson Peter Canavan said the event’s practical focus sets it apart: “Being involved as a Club Officer really brings home how demanding these roles have become. Volunteers want direction, support and solutions they can actually use. The Club Summit is about respecting their time and giving them something of real value to bring back to their Club.”

Declan Hannon, captain of the Limerick hurlers during their historic era of dominance, added: “I’ve seen first‑hand how much time and effort volunteers put into Clubs, often behind the scenes and without much recognition. What I really like about the Club Summit is that it’s focused on giving people practical support they can put into use, whether that’s as a coach, an officer or just someone trying to keep things moving in their Club.”

Diane O’Hora, Mayo LGFA legend and current Mayo Ladies Senior manager, said: “Volunteerism has never been more difficult and at the same time never more necessary. Asking someone to ‘help out’ without giving them proper direction can cause them to decide against getting involved – the Club Summit will give resources and direction to Clubs and volunteers that will make running a Club or a team, a much more manageable, positive and successful experience.”

Contributors and Speakers

High profile figures from across Gaelic games will also participate at the Summit, speaking candidly about the central role Clubs and volunteers play in sustaining the games. Recent additions to the impressive panels for the Dugout discussions forums include former Monaghan footballer Conor McManus, and former Limerick Hurler Declan Hannon. Other contributors include former players from Ladies football and Camogie, managers, referees, journalists and Association leaders, with an emphasis on open discussion rather than rehearsed speeches.

The full Dugout discussion forum panellists include:

• Declan Hannon
• Conor McManus
• Peter Canavan
• Liam Sheedy
• Denise Masterson
• Diane O’Hora
• Shane Curley
• Niamh McGrath
• Ursula Jacob
• Cahair O’Kane
• Denis Walsh
• Tom Ryan
• Helen O’Rourke
• Karen Dessain-Gelinet

The partnership with Amazon.ie has enabled the event to significantly enhance the volunteer experience, with substantial prizes, giveaways and take-home resources available on the day, the most notable of which is a discount on 2026 Club fees, up to a maximum of €10,000, for one Club.

Volunteers will also have access to a range of exhibitors offering Club focused services and supports. As well as a wide range of exhibit stands showcasing initiatives and supports produced by the Gaelic games Associations, some of the other areas covered by exhibitors that will be present on the day include:

• Playing equipment suppliers
• Teamwear suppliers
• Turf care services and equipment
• Fundraising and grant funding

The Presidents of the Gaelic Games Associations said the Summit reflects a clear leadership commitment to listening to volunteers and acting on their needs.

In a joint address, Jarlath Burns, Trina Murray and Brian Molloy said: “Our Clubs and Associations are powered by volunteers. The Club Summit is about recognising that reality and backing it up with real investment, real support and real engagement.”

Tickets for the Club Summit, costing €20, are available now via gaa.ie/clubsummit