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GAELIC4MOTHERS &OTHERS BLITZ DAY LAURA ROBINSON WOLFE TONES, ARMAGH What was your preparation like for the 2023 Sports Direct National Gaelic4Mothers&Others Blitz? The run up to the National Blitz Day was much the same as our normal training with the emphasis on having even more FUN! Our training nights are filled with laughter, and we don't take ourselves too seriously at all. We learn the skills of the game; we enjoy the game, but the mental health and social benefits are amazing. This programme has exceeded everyone expectations. We are more than a group of women who turn up on Friday evening to train. We support each other and are an extension to family. Was there any aspect of the day that you were pleasantly surprised by? The event itself was so well organised for so many teams there. We loved the warmup; the silent disco is something else (Don't lose it). Having referees that knew the ethos allowed them to have some FUN too on the day. it is the day we all look forward to in the G4M&O calendar. How do you feel the group cohesion, camaraderie or familiarity improved or benefitted from in the National Blitz? The day reinforced team camaraderie whilst giving us the day away from our normal responsibilities. Over 2000 women there all up for the FUN day it always is. We have been going a number of years but we met so many new teams that asked us questions on the day as they didn't know what to expect. Our answer was to go out and have the best days craic and forget about all other pressures in life for one day, then dance in that silent disco like no one is watching!! What was the most enjoyable aspect both from a playing aspect and socially? The games are most definitely the best part of the day. High fiving each other when we get the ball over the bar and when we don't. We travel to the Blitz so from we leave we have that buzz. When we play, we realise we are playing the sport we have brought our daughters/sons to for years and now hopefully our children see that Mummy can play too and they are proud of us. In an overall context, how would you describe the day to anyone who has never seen it? The National Blitz is a day like no other away from normal routine of life with groups of like- minded women. Everyone is there to have FUN and let their hair down. There is no pressure to look a certain way and with many teams using themes to dress up it seems the crazier the better. No one has to be the "best player", it's just really good FUN! The post-match analysis is great too. We use this day as our end of year and make the weekend out of it staying over and continuing the laughter of the day. If you are a group that's planning on starting up do not think twice, it has been our medicine for a number of years and has provided an epicentre in our club too for many things. PAM MCDERMOTT BRAY EMMETS, WICKLOW What was your preparation like for the 2023 Sports Direct National Gaelic4Mothers&Others Blitz? The Bray Emmets G4M&O crew were delighted when they were selected to play at the Sports Direct National Blitz. Preparations kicked in at our Monday night sessions so that the team was physically and mentally prepared (i.e., 'what are we wearing' and 'where are we watching the rugby after?!'). Was there any aspect of the day that you were pleasantly surprised by? The warmup. It created a great atmosphere of fun and it was great to see different teams from all across the country there together before you went into your smaller groups. The effort that teams put into their fancy dress outfits was unreal! How do you feel the group cohesion, camaraderie or familiarity improved or benefitted from in the National Blitz? Travelling on a bus together from early morning, helping each other into fancy dress costumes to collectively run around in the muck after a ball with the reward of dancing and 30 | AUTUMN 2023 | www.ladiesgaelic.ie SPORTSDIRECT NATIONAL GAELIC4MOTHERS&OTHERS BLITZ MY EXPERIENCE