Leading men’s health organization, Movember, has partnered with the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) and the Gaelic Players Association (GPA) to launch the ‘Movember Ahead of the Game’ campaign. This campaign introduces an evidence-based emotional literacy program aimed at young players, their parents, and coaches, to promote mental health awareness and build resilience in a sports club setting.
The program, which will be delivered through a series of interactive workshops, is designed to help participants better understand mental health, enhance their mental fitness, and develop the strength to overcome challenges both in sport and in life. The initiative aims to engage 10,000 participants from 200 GAA clubs across all 32 counties of Ireland during its initial phase, which will run from November 2023 to May 2024.
Research shows that 75% of mental health disorders emerge before the age of 24, emphasizing the significance of early conversations about mental health and fitness. By equipping young people with the necessary skills to care for their own well-being and support their teammates, the campaign aims to foster lifelong mental resilience and mentally fit communities.
‘Movember Ahead of the Game’ follows in the footsteps of other leading global professional sports organizations such as the AFL and Rugby League, which have implemented similar programs. By supporting mental fitness as much as physical performance, the GAA and the GPA join the ranks of sporting leaders worldwide.
To ensure the program’s success, the GPA has enlisted the expertise of 22 current and past players who have undergone a rigorous training program led by Rugby League Cares and the Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH). These individuals, including renowned athletes like Anton Tohill, Martin Stackpoole, Saoirse McCarthy, and Iggy Clarke, will facilitate the interactive workshops in the familiar environment of sports clubs, creating a comfortable space for open dialogue.
Preliminary feedback from participants has been overwhelmingly positive. An astounding 92% of young athletes reported feeling more confident in recognizing the signs of mental health struggles in themselves and others, while 96% of coaches revealed an enhanced ability to respond to the mental challenges faced by young athletes after attending the ‘Movember Ahead of the Game’ program.
Colin Regan, GAA Community & Health Manager, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating, We receive frequent requests from clubs for emotional literacy content for younger members, so we are thrilled to work with organizations of the caliber of Movember and the GPA to make this impactful, evidence-based content available to our extensive club network.
GPA CEO Tom Parsons emphasized the importance of the initiative, saying, Our motto is ‘You See Players. We See People.’ We work with GPA members to allow them to be the best they can be both on and off the field of play. This includes offering them support in the area of mental fitness. ‘Movember Ahead of the Game’ enables us to be more proactive and have a positive impact on the lives of young people before the need for support arises. It also recognizes the influence our members have in their communities as role models.
Sarah Ouellette, Country Director of Movember, expressed her delight at the partnership, stating, On the last day of Movember, we are delighted to share this timely announcement of such an important partnership. This serves as a reminder of the local impact donations from our Mo Community have across every county in Ireland.
The ‘Movember Ahead of the Game’ campaign represents a significant step forward in promoting mental health awareness and resilience within the GAA community. By empowering young athletes, their parents, and coaches to prioritize mental fitness, this program will undoubtedly contribute to creating mentally fit communities across Ireland.
