Issue link: http://digitaleditions.uberflip.com/i/1490162
ADVERT FEATURE who are a bit older. The core days are also great for getting to know others - Emily, Clodagh and all the facilitators have always been so enthusiastic too. What have you learned most from your involvement in the programme? I'd definitely say that I've learned that there's absolutely endless possibilities once you put your mind to it- I've heard absolutely fantastic stories from some of the girls about things they've done to make sure that there's a ladies team in their club or even new ideas they've taken upon themselves - nothing is impossible. Has the programme changed how you approach your own involvement in Ladies Football? Yeah, I suppose I've always been really inspired by the girls I play football with in my own club, which is something I'm delighted to have - and doing this Leading Leinster Females programme has just emphasised for me that not only is my role to try and inspire younger people in my own club when playing, coaching and refereeing, but to be part of that. Munster - Rosaleen O'Brien Why did you get involved in the programme? I got involved in this programme as I started back playing football after being out of it for 24 years, started helping to coach with my local club Keelnameela, and also playing G4M&O. My love for football has come back with a bang and I really want to learn more, do more with the LGFA and to encourage the younger girls, especially my own daughter, to stay involved in sport. What has been the best thing about your involvement in the programme? I am really enjoying all the modules, but my favourite was the first day where we all got to meet up. The other women were so inspiring and so lovely. Sarah, who gave the course, was unbelievable.I've never been at a course where I didn't check my phone once for the time all day. I felt so empowered leaving the day. Really fab to meet loads of like-minded women. What have you learned most from your involvement in the programme? I have gained in confidence so much since starting the course, more confident in my own ability. I love the idea of changing the narrative for girls also, I have been working on this a lot since the first day of the course. My 7-year-old daughter recently broke her arm, I was telling her she was tough as nails, and she told me she was tough because she was a girl. I was so proud of her. Made everything worthwhile. Doing my best to stop saying SORRY all the time also. Has the programme changed how you approach your own involvement in Ladies Football? The programme so far has given me lots of ideas. It's extremely encouraging to get more involved. It has really given me the self- belief that there are so many roles within Ladies Football for us all, and getting more women involved is so important. Since starting, I feel so empowered to get more involved myself, and by meeting other like- minded women, you learn from all of them also about things they are doing in their clubs. It's a great place for support. Ulster - Janey McCauley Why did you get involved in the programme? I saw this as a huge opportunity to connect with like-minded women, and learn more about myself as a coach and leader. I wanted to gain a better understanding of my own leadership skills and path thus far, and see what things impact my leadership style. I also saw this as a great opportunity to see where I want to be as a leader within my own capacity as a coach and in areas of my work and life in general. What has been the best thing about your involvement in the programme? The best thing about the programme has been learning how to lead more efficiently and being able to create a network of connections with other women within the organisation. And through this, real learning can take place. I have been humbled by the amazing and empowering women that I have had the joy of interacting with. What have you learned most from your involvement in the programme? I have learned a huge amount about the different strands of the LGFA, everything from dealing with conflict on and off the pitch, recruitment, right up to effective PR methods and just about everything in between! However, I suppose one of the main things I've learned is that identifying where you ARE as a leader and where you WANT to be as a leader are very important. I was able to figure out how far I must go and more importantly HOW to get there, through a lot of the information obtained on this programme. Has the programme changed how you approach your own involvement in Ladies Football? I would say it hasn't changed my approach to Ladies Football in relation to the coaching end of it. It has, however, changed my outlook on the areas of admin, club politics and what areas need to change and move forward into the present day and a more modernised approach to women in Ladies Football and in leadership roles in general. I see a huge need for change in how opportunities are provided at club level in many rural areas of Ireland and the programme has opened up my eyes to how much work still needs to be done.