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36 | SUMMER 2023 | www.ladiesgaelic.ie GAELIC4MOTHERS AND OTHERS SPORTS DIRECT Player Name: Jane Fitzpatrick Club: Attical - Down Thanks for taking the time to speak to us Jane. Firstly well done on such a brilliant day hosting the Ulster East Provincial blitz in Atticall. What were the highlights for you? There were so many highlights on the day, from the fantastic warm up with Ruth, the National Anthem sung by Orlagh, the football (with the odd point scored!) and the craic with all the girls during the matches and after. For me but, it would have to be walking behind Glasdrumman AOH Pipe Band. Looking back and seeing over 400 women walking together was just amazing – it gave a real sense of what kind of day it would be! What supports in organising the event did you receive from the rest of the G4M&O group? It was a real team effort to make sure everything was in place for the blitz. The girls and our coach Damien all worked together to make sure we put on the best day possible; it wouldn't have happened without each and every one of them. I can't talk about support without talking about Siobhan but. She is our Player Rep on the Committee and the effort she puts into G4M&O is incredible, she is a real driving force behind G4M&O in Atticall. What has been the reaction, pre and post event, to the blitz day from the wider club? Our committee and wider club were fantastic both pre and post blitz, the help and support we got was exceptional. Soon after being told we had been chosen to host the Ulster East Blitz, we met with members of the committee to decide what we needed to do. We met on a number of occasions after that to ensure that no stone was unturned in the run up to the day. They were so supportive and the help they gave, with Rory at the forefront, was amazing. It really showed how valued G4M&O is within our club. We are lucky in Atticall to have such a dedicated group of volunteers and they came out in force in the days leading up to and on the day of the blitz. We couldn't have done it without each and every one of them and we thank them all. Post blitz it has been great to see the reaction from other clubs who attended our day and everyone involved has been so proud to put Atticall on the G4M&O map! How did you first get involved in the Gaelic4Mothers&Others programme? I first got involved when Friends of Holy Cross, the Parents Support Group of our local school, wanted to put on a big fundraiser. Bernie along with some others decided that a Mothers' Football Match was the way to go. With 3 children, at the school at the time, I was asked to take part and it went from there, I hadn't played football in years! We signed up to the LGFA G4M&O initiative, started our training and that was it – Gaelic4Mothers&Others was in Atticall! We raised a fantastic amount of money for the school that day but from that we haven't looked back, and G4M&O is now a vital part of our club and one I am proud to be part of. I wear my Atticall jersey along with my sons and daughter, each one of us proud to be playing for teams in the club. What is your Gaelic4Mothers&Others #MYREASONWHY? I suppose #MYREASONWHY is a number of things. It is the friendships I have made- seeing the girls each week, playing football and socialising it really is something special. Secondly, it's for me, that hour during the week where you go and train and chat and forget about everything else is really important. It is now part of my week and I hate to miss it. Lastly, it's for my children. With 4 children life can be busy and I want to show them that Gaelic sport and involvement with your club is something great and to be proud of. I want to IN JUNE THE ANNUAL PROVINCIAL GAELIC4MOTHERS&OTHERS BLITZES, SPONSORED BY SPORTS DIRECT, TOOK PLACE WITH 239 CLUBS INVOLVED ACROSS SIX EVENTS. THE PROVINCIAL DEVELOPMENT OFFICERS WORKED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH HOST CLUBS TO DELIVER FUN FILLED DAYS FULL OF FOOTBALL, FRIENDSHIPS, AND SOME IMAGINATIVE OUTFITS. WE SPOKE TO SOME OF THE PLAYERS INVOLVED WHO ALSO SPEARHEADED THE EVENT PLANNING FROM THE HOST CLUB'S PERSPECTIVE. HERE IS WHAT THEY HAD TO SAY….