THREE Ulster clubs are among the 20 selected to take part in the LGFA’s 2025 ZuCar Gaelic4Teens programme. They are Clann na Banna (Down), Cuchulainn (Cavan) and Tempo Maguires (Fermanagh).
Gaelic4Teens consists of educational webinars, in-person coaching days and a National ZuCar Gaelic4Teens Festival Day at a central location.
In addition, ZuCar Gaelic4Teens ambassadors will conduct sessions for representatives from the 20 participating clubs, and clubs will receive a visit from a ZuCar Gaelic4Teens ambassador or a county player to conduct a coaching session, and witness theory in action.
This unique programme includes ambassadors who are current or ex inter-county players, and they will impart their knowledge and experience throughout the programme.
These ambassadors include Fiona McHale (Mayo), Jackie Kinch (Wicklow), Laura Fleming (Roscommon), Bronagh McGrane (Louth), Cassandra Buckley (Kerry), Orlagh Farmer (Cork), Emily Martin (Down), Máire O Shaughnessy (Meath), Sharon Courtney (Monaghan), Sinead Delahunty (Tipperary), Samantha Lambert (Tipperary), Cathy Carey (Antrim) and Bernie Finlay (Dublin).
Gaelic4Teens has more than doubled in size after a tremendously successful trial programme in 2017. This programme will assist clubs as they aim to maintain their current playing bases, while also recruiting players in the 13–17 age range, which has been identified as a demographic with a high drop-out rate.
The 20 clubs taking part in 2025 are as follows:
- Connacht (8): Castlebar Mitchels, Mayo; Four Roads, Roscommon; Gráinne Mhaols, Galway; Kilconly, Galway; Kiltubrid, Leitrim; Oileáin Árann, Galway; St. Ciarans, Roscommon; Strokestown, Roscommon
- Leinster (4): Ratoath, Meath; St. Nicholas, Louth; Stabannon Parnells/John Mitchels, Louth; Westerns, Louth
- Munster (4): Abbeyside, Waterford; Annascaul/Castlegregory, Kerry; Fethard, Tipperary; St. Senans, Limerick
- Ulster (3): Clann na Banna, Down; Cuchulainn, Cavan; Tempo Maguires, Fermanagh
- Britain (1): Coatbridge Davits, Scotland
The programme will collaborate closely with coaches to determine the most effective means of communication and player engagement for them, as well as to shape the content of their coaching sessions. The initiative will also look at the coaching environment needed to make sure players’ long-term development is supported in the organisation.
The initiative will be closely monitored and assessed to make sure it fulfils its goal of directly influencing players’ retention.
In addition to customising training sessions, there will be an emphasis on education, with ZuCar Gaelic4Teens ambassadors offering knowledge and guidance to participants throughout the programme.
The Gaelic4Teens programme was developed in response to data showing that players play for enjoyment, to grow as a player, to stay active and healthy, to decompress, and because their friends play too.
The reasons given for quitting the sport include not getting enough playing time, finding training boring, the sport being too competitive, and receiving unequal treatment.
Looking ahead to the commencement of the programme, LGFA President Mícheál Naughton commented: “We’re eagerly anticipating the start of the 2025 ZuCar Gaelic4Teens programme, which is a hugely important LGFA development initiative. The programme continues to thrive and evolve and I would like to take this opportunity to wish the participating clubs all the very best as they commence their respective ZuCar Gaelic4Teens journeys.
“I also wish to acknowledge our ZuCar Gaelic4Teens ambassadors, who play such a key role in the roll-out of this programme. These past and present players are wonderful role models and incredible ambassadors for our Association and this programme. They are pillars of their local communities and each and every one of them can impart so much knowledge and expertise to the participating clubs and their coaches. A huge word of thanks, also, to ZuCar for their ongoing support of the programme. ZuCar are also sponsors of our All-Ireland U18 championships and they are the LGFA’s Official Performance Partner.”
Gavin Hydes, Group CEO, ZuCar, added: “We are so proud to be once again associated with the #Gaelic4Teens programme. Developing this underage talent is fundamental to the future and we are very excited to be involved with an initiative that is aimed at developing coaches and increasing the retention rate of teenage girls in Ladies Football. This is a wonderful opportunity for coaches to grow and learn, and to then assist young players involved in the LGFA.”
