Mr. Colin Regan:

Its origins are the clubs themselves, which asked us for support relating to issues such as healthy eating, physical activity for non-playing members, emotional well-being of members, gambling, drug and alcohol education, and community development. Those areas primarily focused on clubs reaching out to their older members and providing access to games for non-traditional cohorts, such as persons with special needs or the new Irish. At present, we are in phase 3 with 150 clubs participating, including several in each county, and we are only limited by resources. We want to reach all 1,600 clubs this year and, having invited expressions of interest in January, we had 220 applications. We only had the capacity to take in 92, however, adding to the 58 that concluded phase 2. There is great hunger for this and we deliver a two and a half hour training module, developed in consultation with our partners in the HSE, the National Office for Suicide Prevention and Healthy Ireland, to all participating clubs. The same training is available to any other of the 150 clubs which are not in the evaluation model. Last year we trained 400 GAA healthy club officers throughout the country, whose clubs are interested in getting involved.

On healthy eating, I am aware that Amanda McCloat from St. Angela's home economics teacher training college was here. With Amanda and her team, and Dr. Crionna Tobin, a leading sports nutritionist, we developed a programme called Recipes for Success, targeting minor and under 21 panels. We have a fantastic booklet with healthy recipes based on whole foods, endorsed by some of our intercounty stars. These not only support a healthier diet but also boost performance. The local healthy club reaches out to the home economics teacher training college and the teacher gives them a two-hour cookery demonstration class, in their own time as volunteers, in which they take the panel through at least two recipes. They are at a critical juncture in their life development as many are finishing their leaving certificate and going on to third level or apprenticeships. The classes arm them with an interest in nutrition and the skills to cook the healthy food that will boost their lifestyles and, it is hoped, even make them better players.