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Ulster GAACommunity Relations
Maura KellyCommunity Development Officer
What is the GAA?
• Sporting• Cultural• Community-based• Amateur• Volunteer-driven• Club-focused
The GAA Club
• Club is the grassroots of the GAA• Clubs boundaries were based on the Church’s
Parish structures• Pride of place• Family focused• Great tradition• Serving the Community...
...the entire Community?
Where has the GAA come from?• Established 1884• To preserve Irish Identity through
- culture - sport, past-times
- music, dance- language
• To in-still Irish confidence in being Irish“ a GAA for the preservation and cultivation of National pastimes” (Michael Cusack, a founding member of the GAA)
Has the GAA been successful?
• Gaelic Games are played in all corners of Ireland, and beyond
• Irish culture, song, dance, language very active in Irish life
• Predominantly Irish, Catholic, Nationalist membership
• Responsive to an Irish identity across 32 counties
Ireland’s Legacy
• Rule 21 (1918) – banned members of the British Occupational forces and RUC from being a member of the GAAAbolished in 2001
• Rule 42 – prevents any sports other than Gaelic Games being played in GAA pitchesStill exists
Since 2009 the GAA has changed it’s Mission Statement from being a non-sectarian and non-racist organisation to become an anti-
racist and anti-sectarian organisation
“We are dedicated to ensuring that our family of games, and the values we live, enrich the lives
of our members, families, and the communities we serve...we reach out to and
include all members of our society.”
The GAA Mission Statement
What does this mean for the GAA?
... self-examination
... many challenges
... change
... staying true to its purpose
... serving our Communities
Community Outreach
Community Outreach – why should the GAA bother?
• Large captive audience• Strong volunteer base• Vast infrastructure and resources base• Access to high-profile personalities• Membership from cradle to grave• A history of pride of place• A history of serving the community• It is the right thing to do – Now is the Time
Ulster GAA Community Outreach Projects
S.A.R.I
• Sport Against Racism Ireland• Ulster GAA co-ordinated high-profile GAA
players and managers to take part in DVD• Promotes unity through sport regardless of
nationality, race, religion, political opinion, age, gender, sexual preference, ability, class and so on
Unite Against Hate
• Office of First & Deputy First Minister; Equality Commission; Community Relations Council; and P.S.N.I
• Ulster GAA and I.F.A sporting partners in this anti-hate campaign
• High-profile GAA players ambassadors for the campaign
• High-profile GAA games used to promote the campaign
Game of Three Halves
• Ulster GAA, I.F.A and Ulster Rugby three largest participation sports in Ulster / N.Ireland
• Brings kids together in a cross-community event to give all sports a try
• Kids learn new skills while playing with kids they would normally never interact with
Cúchulainn Cup
• Ulster GAA’s flagship Community Outreach project
• Cross-community schools project for non-GAA participants
• Controlled, Maintained and Integrated sectors• 6 – 8 weeks of coaching• Annual Cúchulainn Cup Blitz• One team selected to travel to the Continental
Youth Competition each year
Other Projects
• Club Cultural Officer• “Have a Go Days”• GAA For All• Rural Community Network• Integrated Schools Competitions• Youthcom “Crossing The Bridges” • Stormont “Playball” Event• Shinty-Hurling competitions
Ulster GAA Community Development
• A committed Community Development Unit• Ryan Feeney - Head of Community
Development, Public Affairs and Strategy• Maura Kelly – Community Development
028 378 17180
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