Dermot Earley Youth Leadership Initiative continues to inspire next generation

Over 200 people gathered in Croke Park on Friday, July 1st, to celebrate the completion of the Dermot Earley Youth Leadership Initiative within their clubs.

Over 200 people gathered in Croke Park on Friday, July 1st, to celebrate the completion of the Dermot Earley Youth Leadership Initiative within their clubs. 

The Dermot Earley Youth Leadership Initiative, delivered in partnership with Foróige and NUIG, 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.

Young people representing 14 clubs received a certificate from Annemarie Earley (daughter of Dermot Earley) to mark their completion of modules one and two of the programme.

A number of these young people will go on to complete the third and final module, enabling them to graduate from NUIG with a Level 6 Certificate in Youth Leadership and Community Action in October.

Young leaders Ronan Prior (Cuala GAA) and Leila McCormack (Castleknock) shared their experiences of the programme. They recalled how their leadership and life skills such as communication, goal setting, self-awareness and reflection have been transformed by the experience and course content. They also highlighted the connections and friendships they have made along the way.

The young people were guided through their nine-month leadership journey by volunteer facilitators from their clubs, who were specially trained in the necessary facilitation skills by NUIG and Foroige. Facilitators Keith Barrett (Newbridge Sarsfield) and Lynda Gaynor (Castleknock GAA) spoke about how the programme was “set up for success” and of the enjoyment and learning they too took from the experience.

The Earley family were represented on the day by Dermot’s daughters, Anne-Marie, Noelle and Paula. Anne-Marie, said “My father was passionate about three things, the GAA, young people and education and the Dermot Earley Youth Leadership Initiative brought those passions to life.”

An Uachtarán CLG, Larry McCarthy, congratulated the young leaders and their facilitators on their achievements: “While the core business of the GAA is sport we are also very much involved in the development of people both on and off the field. These young leaders represent the future of the GAA and their communities. I want to thank the facilitators who volunteered so much time to guide them on this exceptional journey, and of course our partners Foroige and NUIG in helping us make this happen.”

Jimmy D’Arcy, GAA Youth Leadership Manager said: “The GAA is committed to providing young people with opportunities to have their voice heard within our Association and through our programmes, and to have that voice listened to and influence decision making. We are also committed to providing opportunities for young people to develop personally and as part of a group and to volunteer in a variety of roles in the promotion of games, healthy clubs and the administration of Gaelic games at Club and County level. The Demot Earley Youth Leadership Initiative provides such opportunities and ensures that our young people feel connected and have a sense of belonging that ultimately supports their wellbeing.”

Barabara Daly, Chairperson of the National Council of Foróige said; “Foróige has a long tradition of collaboration with partners in the community and voluntary sectors in pursuit of our aims of empowering young people and enriching communities. Our collaboration with the GAA in delivering this Leadership programme is consistent with those aims. I wish to congratulate all of the participants. You have been gifted with a set of competencies and personal skills that prepare you to be a leader. I encourage you all to seek out opportunities, to use your skills through honest endeavour and hard work - to earn your leadership, every day.”

Blánaid Carney, GAA Community and Health Co-ordinator said:” I would like to thank our DEYLI Facilitators for giving so freely of their time as volunteers and making this programme come to life for over 200 young GAA members.  Since its inception we have equipped over 1,000 young people across the country with essential leadership skills to enable them to reach their full potential”.

For more information on the Dermot Earley Youth Leadership Initiative please contact Blánaid Carney on blanaid.carney@gaa.ie or 01 8192387.

 Clubs currently delivering the DEYLI programme:

·      Ballinderren

·      Bandon GAA

·      Castleknock Hurling & Football Club

·      Clontarf GAA

·      Cuala GAA

·      Curry GAA

·      Dromard GAA

·      Eire Og Greystones GAA

·      Kilcock GAA

·      Na Fianna Ladies

·      Newbridge Sarsfields GAA

·      Round Tower GAA Club Clondalkin

·      St Eunans GAA

·      St Kevins Hurling Club