Social Games & Physical Activity

If you take one thing from this section, let it be that simple message.

It is recommended by the World Health Organisation that children and young people (aged 2-18) should be active moderate to vigorous level, for at least 60 minutes every day. This should include muscle-strengthening, flexibility and bone-strengthening exercises 3 times a week.

Adults (aged 18 – 64) should be active for at least 30 minutes a day of moderate activity on 5 days a week (or 150 minutes a week).

Older people (aged 65+) should be active for at least 30 minutes a day of moderate intensity activity on 5 days a week, or 150 minutes a week with a focus on aerobic activity, muscle strengthening and balance.

People with disabilities should be as active as their ability allows and should aim to meet adult guidelines of at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity activity on 5 days a week.

While LGFA clubs and coaches assist countless people in achieving their recommended physical activity levels through training for and playing our games we can always do more to help those who are less physically active. This section gives is some ideas how you and your club can get all our members up, out and feeling better.

The Gaelic4Mothers&Others initiative, sponsored by Sports Direct, is an innovative way to introduce mothers and other women to playing Ladies Gaelic Football. Mothers often drop their kids to training and call back to collect them, but the Ladies Gaelic Football Association wants to change that.

The Gaelic4Mothers&Others initiative sees women playing Ladies Gaelic Football in a fun, non-competitive and social environment. Gaelic4Mothers&Others provides an opportunity for women to get their recommended weekly exercise in a fun way while meeting other mothers in the area.

The initiative has proved hugely popular with women of all ages and has taken off in all 32 counties with success stories popping up all over the country, and most recently in International units.

There are Provincial Festivals organised in each Province every year and one National Festival which have been a huge success with over 2500 participants taking part in the National Festival Day each year.

For further information you can download the Gaelic4Mothers&Others Information booklet or contact:

Vinny Whelan, Head of Growth and Participation, Tel: 087 182 1668 or Email: vincent.whelan@lgfa.ie

#MyReasonWhy

The ever popular ‘Ireland Lights Up’ and Irish Life GAA Healthy Clubs ‘Every Step Counts’ Challenge returns to GAA clubs in January 2027 in partnership with Get Ireland Walking.

With almost 1,000 clubs involved and over 40,000 weekly participants in the Steps Challenge on Irish Life’s MyLife app in 2026, they have grown to be the biggest walking initiatives in Ireland.

To fill the void of Operation Transformation departing from our televisions, the GAA is delighted to announce an exciting new partnership with the recently launched 40-Day Health Challenge. This nationwide digital health and wellbeing campaign is brought to you by the makers of Operation Transformation.

Lots of familiar faces will be involved, with personal trainer Karl Henry, GP Dr Sumi Dunne, clinical psychologist Dr Eddie Murphy and dietician Sophie Pratt, guiding the nation and a group of specially selected challengers through the 40-day challenge.

The aim is to inspire and encourage individuals, families, and communities across Ireland to embrace healthier lifestyles, get active, and improve their overall physical and mental well-being while taking part in ‘Ireland Lights Up’ and the Irish Life GAA Healthy Clubs Steps Challenge.

As was the case during Operation Transformation, each week, a club participating in Ireland Lights Up will get a visit from the camera crew to showcase on the 40 Day Health Challenge how they are supporting the health and wellbeing of their members and community.