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32 | WINTER 2021 | www.ladiesgaelic.ie LEADING PROVINCIAL FEMALES Meet Some of Our 'Leading Provincial Females' CONNACHT CLAIRE BURKE Why did you get involved in the programme? I was very excited to get involved with the programme to become a female leader in my club – Naomh Mhuire, Oranmore, Co. Galway. It is a great programme to encourage females to take on roles, become confident to lead in the club and get involved. What has been the best thing about your involvement in the programme? Meeting with like-minded females across Connacht, who all have ambition to develop and become more involved in their clubs. Great to hear about success stories from various clubs around Connacht from programmes run by club and ladies. What have you learned most from your involvement in the programme? To make sure that you don't take on all the tasks/ roles and spread yourself too thin in the club. Rather, go after one main area and do it well. Also, to build a good team around you, to be able to delegate the responsibility of various tasks. Has the programme changed how you approach your own involvement in ladies football? The programme has identified that women do not feel empowered or confident in clubs to take on roles, but as women we need to put ourselves out there, volunteer and make opportunities for all young girls in our clubs better. I am now working on gathering momentum within my club to get more ladies involved in a range of roles. T he Leading Provincial Females programme is in its first year and we were delighted to hear some reflections from a participant from each Province. This programme is designed for females aged 18+ who are interested in their own personal development and specifically in developing leadership skills in the context of LGFA, Camogie or GAA. All participants attend three leadership days as well as undertaking modules specific to their personal area of interest. Let's hear what they have to say... LEINSTER PAULA FINAN Why did you get involved in the programme? I am a new County Officer and I applied for the programme to learn more about the LGFA as an organisation and the people involved in it. I wanted to meet more people to learn how they deal with the different challenges that arise on a day-to-day basis. What has been the best thing about your involvement in the programme? I thoroughly enjoyed our introduction day in Portlaoise. It was energising and eye opening to spend a day with likeminded women who are interested in developing as leaders in Gaelic Games but who were also interested in listening and learning from others. The course facilitators on the day were inspiring. The webinars are extremely well put together and presented. I have taken something from each and every one of them. What have you learned most from your involvement in the programme? The programme encourages you to have confidence in what you are saying and doing. It has affirmed my belief that communication is key and it has given me the confidence to put my ideas out there and if they work, they work and if not, it is not the end of the world but to keep trying. Has the programme changed how you approach your own involvement in ladies football? Yes, it has given me the confidence to communicate my ideas, it has also encouraged me to seek the opinion and help of others when taking on larger tasks. I am more confident in my role and look forward to developing in it further. It has also given me the confidence to seek out other roles that interest me.