Since its formation in March this year, Lucan Healthy Clubs has organised a number of very successful events.

The Healthy Clubs Programme is a GAA initiative backed by Irish Life and Healthy Ireland, focused on improving the health of the nation. Currently in phase 2, with 60 clubs, phase 3 starts in 2018.

Jenny Costello was appointed as the Health and Wellbeing Officer for the club, and all of the committee attended a training programme.

The first event was An Evening with Michael Fennelly. This was a hugely successful event with a very interesting presentation following by lively and insightful discussion.

Following on from this the committee arranged with Centra Griffeen to provide fruit and water for the Academy, for their last day before the summer break. This was met with great enthusiasm from all of the youngest members of the club.  This was further reinforced when the committee arranged with the tuck shop to provide a “healthy option” during the summer camps.

In September Healthy Clubs brought the Irish Heart Foundation Mobile Unit to the club. With a steady stream of attendees throughout the day, this was another successful venture and requests have been made for a repeat visit for those who couldn’t make it on the day.

In line with the return to schools, a Food Demo was organised for the Under 11 & 12 club players. This was kindly facilitated by Carmel Byrne Dunne of Karmel’s Kitchen and the children really enjoyed the experience of assisting with the preparation, as well as tasting the results. Noel Flynn of ABC Gym also had a lively and engaging discussion on food nutrition myths. All of the children got a goody pack – with contents sponsored by Flahavans and Vegified, as well as a copy of the recipes to take away. Ingredients for the night were provided by Centra Griffeen. There has been significant interest in this event with several requests for a repeat.

Healthy Clubs team organised a “Wellbeing for All” session in Lucan library, this included hand massages provided by Rebecca Mahon as well as a gentle exercise session led by David Moran. This was a very well received initiative, with several requests for this to become a regular event.  The committee will look into whether this can be facilitated.

Friday 15^th September Noel Flynn of ABC Gym and the healthy clubs committee organised an “Injury Prevention workshop” for team mentors. Tommy Brennan of the Pain & Performance Clinic provided a lively discussion/presentation which mentors found very beneficial. The committee are very grateful to Noel and Tommy for giving their time and expertise to this event.

The next event being planned is the Street Leagues, which is scheduled for Saturday 7th October.

A number of other events are planned for the coming months, details will be circulated closer to the time. 

The Healthy Clubs committee is grateful to the executive for the support given to all initiatives, and also to Centra for the sponsorship of various events.