Role Description
The role of the Healthy Club Officer is to promote and support health and wellbeing across all aspects of the club and community.
Officers are appointed rather than elected and will be supported in their work by their project team, the Club Executive and their County Health & Wellbeing Committee. However, everyone has a role to play in supporting a Healthy Club, from players and coaches to parents and volunteers.
Training, policies, programmes, partnerships, and resources specific to the role are available (see www.gaa.ie/community for more details).
Responsibilities
- Attend Healthy Club Officer training (provided online from GAA Community & Health Team) and promote to other team members.
- Prepare the club to join the Healthy Club programme by supporting the club to better understand the programme and its requirements (this is for clubs who are not yet officially participating in the programme).
- With the support of the club executive and a healthy club team complete the required steps to become an accredited healthy club.
- Work towards completing and documenting the desired level of accreditation (Healthy Club, Silver & Gold Awards). Please Note: only clubs participating in the official Healthy Club programme can gain accreditation. The requirements for each level can be found via www.gaa.ie/community
- Using the healthy club portal complete the required reports to apply for accreditation every 2 years.
- Utilise the healthy club programmes learning website Irish Life GAA Healthy Club Programme | Tobar for essential programme information.
- Attend club executive meetings and/or regularly report on activities.
- The Healthy Club Officer may help signpost to appropriate support services (local/national agencies and/or voluntary group) and WILL NOT BE required to provide direct services.
Requirements
- Good communication and interpersonal and organisational skills (computer literacy is essential).
- Ability to work with other club officers (Children’s/Coaching Officer) and the Executive.
- Have a genuine interest and knowledge in the Association and interest in health and wellbeing.
- With relevant resources and support, the ability to assist discretely with potentially sensitive issues such as critical incidents.
- Willingness to attend training as provided by the GAA or its partners.
Recommendations
- The Healthy Club Officer should be appointed for a minimum of two years to allow adequate time to develop and embed the role.
- Creating a Healthy Club project team is recommended to allow interested club members/volunteers the opportunity to contribute and get involved.
- Link in with their County Health and Wellbeing Committee for local support.
Additional Information and Support
- Training for Healthy Club Officers and project team members will be delivered online annually by the GAA Community & Health Team.
- The requirements for Healthy Club, Silver & Gold Awards can be found via Irish Life GAA Healthy Club Programme | Tobar
- Further information can be sought by emailing community.health@gaa.ie