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40 | SUMMER 2023 | www.ladiesgaelic.ie Keelnameela, probably more famous for their exploits in the other non- competitive strand of Ladies Gaelic Football, Gaelic4Mothers&Others, embarked on the Gaelic4Girls, sponsored by Glenveagh Homes, programme for 2023. Let's hear from coordinator Rosaleen O'Brien on how they got on… Our club Keelnameela was lucky to enough to be one of 25 clubs in Ireland chosen to participate in the Gaelic4Girls Programme this year. We are a small club based in Ahiohill in West Cork, with girls coming to play with us from many areas in the wider parish. We applied for the programme as we could see many girls in the different schools that weren't playing Ladies Football. Our club went into the schools and spoke to the girls directly and explained what it was all about. We felt that if they could just give it a try, they would learn to love it as much as we do. The LGFA told us, "Open the doors to your club, and they will come." What a success story it has been for our club. 44 girls signed up for Gaelic4Girls, and over the 10-week programme, they came, they had fun and made new friends from different schools in the area. They learned how to play football too! We have gained 20 new members as a direct result of the Gaelic4Girls programme. We are just blown away by it all! There is so much positivity towards our Ladies Football Club in the local area. Our club has a Gaelic4Mothers&Others team, called the Meela Moos. It has been such an amazing year for us culminating with us playing in Croke Park at half-time during the TG4 All Ireland Ladies Football Final last year. But to be honest, the real success story for our G4M&O team, is seeing the influence it has on our younger girls. Mummy playing football and going training is just 'normal' now. Another bonus has been the knock-on effect across the club with 12 Meela Moo players actively involved in our Gaelic4Girls Programme. Our amazing co-ordinator Gwen, all the coaches and other ladies that stepped in when needed came from our G4M&O's. It is so important for the girls to see female coaches involved. Also, it was so important for the ladies to get the confidence to realise that they were capable of coaching and had so much to give to these girls. We not only now have new members, we also have new female coaches. New parents are getting involved in the club now too. We have really seen that these initiatives by the LGFA all tie in together to make our clubs and communities better places for everyone. Our G4M&O team give their time generously to help out at a range of community events, and now our Gaelic4Girls has brought girls from different areas of our community together, playing as a team. Our community is growing before our eyes! Our club has a fantastic ethos of inclusivity, fun, friendship and football. Our advice to clubs: Get involved in these LGFA initiatives. You will not regret it! GAELIC4GIRLS GLENVEAGH 40 | SUMMER 2023 | www.ladiesgaelic.ie Keelnameela MOOOVING in the Right Direction