Lidl award Wexford GAA club with €2500 for ‘Strongest Community Involvement’

Lidl Ireland have awarded a Wexford GAA Club with a financial award…

Lidl Ireland have recognised Wexford’s Shamrocks GAA Club in Enniscorthy with the ‘Strongest Community Involvement’ award as part of its Lidl One Good Club™ mental health programme – an initiative that the retailer has invested more than €100,000 in supporting more than 75 LGFA clubs across the country to date.

The programme, developed and delivered in association with the Ladies Gaelic Football Association (LGFA) and Jigsaw, the National Centre for Youth Mental Health, aims to raise awareness and improve understanding of mental health amongst LGFA clubs across Ireland, while empowering young people to engage in activities that promote positive mental health amongst their members and local communities.

This year, 22 LGFA clubs across the country were selected to participate in the programme running over 10 consecutive weeks. All clubs who successfully completed the programme received an official Lidl One Good Club™ accreditation, as well as a set of Lidl One Good Club™ branded jerseys. Once completed, clubs had a chance to win one of three funding awards available, with a total value of €10,000.

This week, Lidl Ireland announced the winning clubs from Kilkenny, Tipperary and Wexford who received the three prestigious funding awards for their outstanding achievements as part of the One Good Club™ programme.

Wexford’s Shamrocks GAA Club were recognised with the ‘Strongest Community Involvement’ award, receiving €2,500 in funding. The judges were blown away by the clubs’ achievements in promoting inclusivity and spreading awareness of improving mental health amongst their community. One initiative in particular saw the club join forces with St. Patricks Special School for a game of football to give their players an insight into disabilities and coming together as a community. The club also set up a nursey group called the Little Rockies to encourage younger age groups to get involved in sports.

Slieverue GAA Club in Co. Kilkenny received the ‘Best Overall Programme Engagement’ award, receiving €5,000 in funding and Fethard GAA Club in Co. Tipperary received the ‘Most Innovative Initiative’ award, receiving €2,500 in funding.

Speaking about Lidl’s One Good Club Programme for 2024, Eimear O’Sullivan, Corporate Affairs Director at Lidl Ireland said:

“Since launching the Lidl One Good Club™ Mental Health Programme in 2021, we have invested more than €100,000 in supporting more than 75 LGFA clubs across every county in Ireland.”

“We are incredibly proud to see that the positive impacts of the Lidl One Good Club™ initiatives have been felt throughout clubs and communities across Ireland and it has been encouraging to see the commitment and effort from everyone through participation in this programme. We’re delighted to award three clubs additional funding to support their fantastic initiatives which will undoubtedly empower and support even more young people in the future.”

“Congratulations to all of the clubs across the country and club leaders who have shown their passion and dedication throughout the duration of the Lidl One Good Club™ programme.”

Lidl Gaelic Football Association President, Micheál Naughton, added:

“Once again, we’ve some remarkable efforts from clubs who participated in the Lidl One Good Club™ programme. Each year, this programme has the ability to bring a sense of renewed energy, camaraderie and focus to communities across Ireland – and this year was no different.”

“While three clubs have been recognised with specific awards, I want to acknowledge each and every participant who took part in this year’s programme. Their creativity, drive and teamwork in delivering these initiatives has been truly inspiring and the work that the clubs have put in will leave a long-lasting impact in their local communities.”

“I also wish to acknowledge the efforts of Lidl Ireland and Jigsaw, the National Centre for Youth Mental Health, in raising awareness of mental health issues across the entire LGFA community, and beyond.”

Lidl Ireland has committed more than €10 million to the development and promotion of Ladies Gaelic Football since 2016. In January, the retailer launched its call-to-action campaign ‘Get Behind the Fight’ to encourage greater attendance at female sports events. For information on LGFA fixtures, please visit www.lidl.ie/tickets