GAA players part of driving force for social change in Ireland and around the world as part of the Association

Irish society benefits hugely from the contribution players make off the field

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Oulart-the-Ballagh club captain and Wexford County star Keith Rossiter in attendance at the GAA’s ‘Off the Booze On the Ball’ launch

Photo by Paul Mohan / SPORTSFILE

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Young people can readily identify with high profile players but unlike their counterparts in professional sport, these players remain rooted in their own communities and are thus accessible to groups on the ground.

Harnessing this aspect as a point of strength, the GPA intends to drive social change as part of its own social responsibility, by using players to promote the status of sport within the Irish education system and in Irish society, particularly for children from disadvantaged backgrounds. A GPA Community Camp was run by players for children for the first time this year, a model which will be rolled out nationally in 2013.

This week the GAA launched an initiative aimed at reducing alcohol consumption and raising funds for clubs in the New Year. As always, two profiled county players were placed to the fore to promote the initiative. However, on this occasion both were there as representatives of their clubs.

It is perhaps one of the GAA’s strongest and most unique aspects – even its elite players who perform at the highest level in front of 80,000 spectators remain part of the community and part of their clubs.

And it is an aspect which, while not always highlighted, is integral to the GAA’s ability to operate as a force for social change.

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