GAA Dermot Earley Youth Leadership Initiative

‘Your attitude is more important than your ability, your motives are more important than your methods, your courage is more than your cleverness and always have your heart in the right place’ - Dermot Earley Snr.

Since 2014, the Dermot Earley Youth Leadership Initiative has seen young GAA members complete the yearlong programme, gaining a level 6 third level qualification in Youth Leadership and Community Action for their efforts. This unique programme evokes and honours the values Dermot Earley epitomised and tries to foster them in a new generation of young Irish leaders. Dermot Earley National Youth Recognition Day is held in Croke Park every year to celebrate their achievements.

About the Initiative

The initiative runs over the academic year (September – June) and consists of 3 modules. It involves 30 hours of workshops designed to develop the leadership skills that Dermot epitomised on and off the field. 20 hours of self-direct and reflection learning before participants put their enhanced leadership skills into action through a club or community-based action project. Helping to facilitate their journey are a troupe of facilitators who receive online training developed in the University of Galway and delivered by Foróige. Those who complete the online training achieve a Foundation Diploma in Training and Education for their time and efforts. Check out our tutor testimonial video below

During the programme the young GAA members gain aptitudes in essential leadership skills in a safe and supportive environment. Module one focuses on the individual and their leadership skills, building their self-awareness, community skills, values and communication skills. Module two focuses on their ability to lead as part of a team enabling them to cultivate their skills further. Module three focuses on their individual leadership aspirations and offered the participants the opportunity to lead their own project within their community from conception to completion. Projects included a coaching and sporting nutrition awareness workshop for an U 14s team in Buncrana GAA; an Easter party for the Letterkenny Special Olympics bowling club; a workshop for mental health in Muff GAA; an intergenerational event for local nursing home residents as part of the Bealtaine Festival; the establishment of a Youth Tidy Town group in Offaly; a motivational event with Declan Coyle in Roscommon; the hosting of a community brunch to combat isolation amongst elderly people in Mayo; and the development of a peer education programme on concussion, mental health and player burnout in Kildare. Check out our participant testimonial video below

For more information on participating in the DEYLI contact Stephen Quinn National Community & Health Coordinator stephen.quinn@gaa.ie