Lidl Ireland Invests over €125,000 in new #SeriousSupport Schools Programme
August 20, 2019
In attendance at the official launch of the Lidl #SeriousSupport Schools Programme at Croke Park in Dublin, proudly supported by the Ladies Gaelic Football Association and delivered by the Youth Sports Trust, are footballers, from left, Lucy Hannon of Galway, Sinéad Burke of Galway, Louise Galvin of Kerry, Caroline O'Hanlon of Armagh, Katy Herron of Donegal, Elish Ward of Donegal, Carla Rowe of Dublin and Donna Berry of Kildare with young players Brenda Naughton, age 14, from Coláiste Bhaile Chláir, Co Galway, left, and Melissa Hetherington, age 13, from Balla Secondary School, Co Mayo. Lidl Ireland has invested over €125,000 in this new initiative which aims to reduce the drop-off rate in sport participation amongst girls aged 11-14 years. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile.
Ahead of the TG4 All-Ireland Ladies Senior Football Championship semi-finals on Sunday August 25th, Lidl Ireland is proud to officially launch the Lidl #SeriousSupport Schools Programme, supported by the Ladies Gaelic Football Association and delivered by the Youth Sports Trust. Lidl Ireland have invested over €125,000 in this new initiative which aims to reduce the drop-off rate in sport participation amongst girls aged 11-14 years.
Research undertaken by Lidl into how sport participation impacts the lives of women both on and off the pitch, and the factors that influence dropout rates, showed that by age 13, 1 in 2 girls drop out of sport. Girls are 3 times more likely to give up sport than boys. Yet, it was discovered that girls who continue to play team sports are 4 times more likely to feel body confident, 50% feel more supported and 80% are more likely to have positive mental wellbeing when compared with their peers who do not play sport.
The Lidl #SeriousSupport Programme will see 33 chosen schools across Ireland partner with one of Lidl’s ten athlete mentors who are current or former elite-level ladies Gaelic football players. Their experience is at the highest level and all have inspiring stories to share and are committed to using sport to transform the lives of young people. The athlete mentors will introduce students to the Lidl values, which are key to the success of elite athletes.
The mentors involved are Carla Rowe, Dublin; Lyndsey Davey, Dublin; Caroline O’Hanlon, Armagh; Donna Berry, Kildare; Eilish Ward, Donegal; Katy Herron, Donegal; Louise Galvin, Kerry; Lucy Hannon, Galway; Sinead Burke, Galway; and Cora Staunton, Mayo. All schools involved will receive inspirational assembly talks, #SeriousSupport workshops from their mentors and will then undertake a Ladies Gaelic Football project of their own throughout the year, applying the concepts they’ve learnt through the workshops.
Piloted in seven schools, the Lidl #SeriousSupport Schools Programme has delivered proven results and provides schools with the opportunity to make a considerable impact amongst young female students. A review of the pilot programme found that 96% of participants felt the programme increased their aspirations while 92% felt it increased their confidence. A staggering 98% found the programme increased their team work.
Since 2016, over €3.5 million has already been invested in The Ladies Gaelic Football Association by Lidl Ireland through programmes which include Lidl’s Future Stars, Post Primary Schools and Club competitions which continue to drive awareness of the sport across the country.
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