The GAA, Foróige and NUIG have opened the application process for the innovative Dermot Earley Youth Leadership Initiative. Young GAA club members, male and female aged 15-18 years, in seven counties, including Donegal, are encouraged to apply. Since 2014, the Dermot Earley Youth Leadership Initiative has seen over 500 young GAA members across Ireland complete the year long programme, gaining a level 6 third level qualification in Youth Leadership and Community Action. This unique programme evokes and honours the values Dermot Earley epitomised and tries to foster them in a new generation of young Irish leaders.
The programme will run over three modules between September 2019 and May 2020. During the programme the young GAA members will gain aptitudes in essential leadership skills in a safe and supportive environment. Module one focuses on the individual and their leadership skills, building their self-awareness, community skills, values and communication skills. Module two focuses on their ability to lead as part of a team enabling them to cultivate their skills further. Module three focuses on their individual leadership aspirations and offered the participants the opportunity to lead their own project within their community from conception to completion.
Projects rolled out last year included a coaching and sporting nutrition awareness workshop for an U 14s team in CLG Bun Cranncha; an Easter party for the Letterkenny Special Olympics bowling club; a workshop for mental health in CLG Naomh Pádraig, Uisce Chaoin; an intergenerational event for local nursing home residents as part of the Bealtaine Festival; the establishment of a Youth Tidy Town group in Offaly; the hosting of a community brunch to combat isolation amongst elderly people in Mayo; and the development of a peer education programme on concussion, mental health and player burnout in Kildare.
Closing date for receipt of applications is Sunday June 30th. Each application form will need to be supported by a nomination form (marks given for nomination form). Your nominator CANNOT be a family member or relative. The link to the application form is below:
https://www.gaa.ie/news/dermot-early-youth-leadership-initiative-applications-2019/
26 May 2018; Participants, members of the Earley family, and Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael John Horan in attendance at the Dermot Earley Youth Leadership Recognition Day at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
