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54 | SPRING 2024 | www.ladiesgaelic.ie Gaelic4Girls - We Hear from the Ambassadors Name: Bláithín Bogue What is the most enjoyable aspect of playing Ladies Gaelic Football for you? The friendships, the match day buzz and the challenge to improve and be the best you can be. Do you have any traditions, superstitions, or routines that you observe before, during or after training or a match? Before a game I like to ease the pre-match nerves by playing a bit on the piano. Before the throw in I like to bless myself and then I try to find my dad in the stands, and we exchange a thumbs up. Then before the second half throw in, I find him again to see what hand gesture he gives, that's an indicator of how you're playing. As part of the Gaelic4Girls programme the theme of peer, parental, and role model support and influence are hugely important. Who has had the biggest positive influence on your time playing Ladies Football and how have they had a positive influence? I'll have to give dad another shout out for this one. Dad took the underage boys' team when my brothers were first starting out, so I was always brought along to training. There are very few games Dad has missed, and he is always giving me ways to improve even when I mightn't want to hear it. What aspect of the Gaelic4Girls Programme has made the greatest impression on you? It provides an opportunity to broaden the base and appeal to young girls who may not be traditionally from a football background by creating a fun environment as an introduction. Inter-county stars from Dublin, Fermanagh, Galway and Kerry have been unveiled as new ambassadors for the LGFA's Glenveagh Homes Gaelic4Girls programme. Leah Caffrey (Dublin), Bláithín Bogue (Fermanagh), Louise Ward (Galway) and Síofra O'Shea (Kerry) have come on board to support the hugely successful Gaelic4Girls initiative. They will join four returning ambassadors, namely Armagh forward Aimee Mackin, Clare's Laurie Ryan, Roscommon's Jennifer Higgins and Meath ace Emma Duggan. We hear initial thoughts from our new ambassadors. GAELIC4GIRLS What advice would you give to girls who have a Gaelic4Girls participating club in their area? I would advise them to check it out, give it a go and it's a great way to make friends for life. What motivated you to become an ambassador for the Gaelic4Girls Programme? To date I have had a lot of very positive experiences with playing and being involved with the LGFA and maybe it's a sense of advocating for the LGFA so that as many as possible young girls might avail of this opportunity. Gaelic4Girls will bring new groups of friends together through Ladies Football. What was your experience like when joining a new group or team? Thankfully I have had all great experiences when joining new teams, whether it be with club, county, university, or the school's inter- provincial teams where I have made lifelong friends. What's the best advice you would give to any player that plays Ladies Gaelic Football? Get the basics right, perfect practise makes perfect. But the most important thing is to enjoy it and take any opportunity that comes your way. With the intercounty championship just around the corner, what are you most excited about for the coming months? The added intensity of championship football, hopefully in better weather and playing conditions, with the ultimate aim of playing in Croke Park come the first weekend in August.