Dermot Earley Youth Leadership Initiative an empowering experience
The GAA is currently seeking applications for the Dermot Earley Youth Leadership Initiative, which, in partnership with Foróige and The University of Galway, seeks to empower GAA members aged 15 to 18 years-old to make a positive difference in their club, county, and communities through values-based leadership.
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 offers the participants the opportunity to lead their own project within their community from conception to completion.
For those who have previously participated in the DEYLI, like Luke Coyle of Strabane Sigerson’s GAC in Tyrone, the experience was an empowering one.
“I got involved with the Dermot Earley Leadership Initiative in the first lockdown of the pandemic in 2021,” Coyle told GAA.ie. “My club coach at the time, Ciarán McLaughlin, put it out there for young people in the club because he felt it could help us in the future.
“So I got involved during lockdown and it was great to have it because there wasn't much else going on at the time during lockdown.
“It was a very interesting experience, it helped me develop new skills that I didn't know I had in me. And it showed me how to work more with people as a team.”
For his third module project, Coyle undertook a number of environmental initiatives that would benefit his club, and you can view and download his impressive final portfolio of the project at the bottom of this article.
He planted 50 trees and shrubs that would have a long-lasting benefit, and also helped with a campaign to reduce the use of single use plastic in the club.
“We got a very positive reaction from everyone in the club and local community,” says Coyle. It's very rewarding too when you see all your work now when you go to training or go to a match.
“We planted the trees in an area where everyone would stand if they're at a match, so it's very rewarding to look up and see the impact of your work and you remember the time you did it.
“The whole experience of being involved with the Dermot Earley Leadership Initiative gave me a lot more confidence in myself. Especially now when I'm in a team environment.
“Before it I wouldn't really have had a clue as to why I should be trying to encourage people, but the course helped me realise why it's very valuable to have those skills and how it can positively affect a team, or how shouting at others can negatively affect a team.”
The GAA, Foróige and the University of Galway are aiming to expand and grow the DEYLI beyond the current registered clubs, and are encouraging individuals interested in becoming programme facilitators to register for training which will enable them to run the programme within their clubs.
“I'd definitely recommend other clubs to get involved because it's very rewarding,” says Coyle. “You definitely feel more confident after being a part of it and you feel the respect of everyone around you too.
“I think there can sometimes be a lot of negative thoughts on teenagers these days. So it's very good to get that stereotype off of teenagers by doing something like this.”
The upcoming training dates are below:
Evening Options
Monday 11th Sept, Wednesday 13th Sept and Monday 18th Sept all at 6.30pm to 9.30pm
Weekend Options:
Friday 6th October at 6.30pm to 9.30pm and Saturday 7th October 10am to 4pm
Friday 3rd November at 6.30pm to 9.30pm and Saturday 4th November 10am to 4pm
Anyone interested in being trained as a facilitator can register using the Dermot Earley Youth Leadership Initiative 2023 registration form HERE.
For further information contact National Community & Health Coordinator, Stephen Quinn, Stephen.Quinn@gaa.ie
