Game Changer is a collaboration with the GAA, LGFA, and Camogie Associations, in partnership with White Ribbon Ireland and Ruhama. It aims to utilise Gaelic Games unique position in Irish community life to help tackle the societal scourge of domestic, sexual, and gender-based violence.
On Sunday, July 13th we hosted a Game Changer awareness day in Croke Park during the Junior football final between New York and London and the All-Ireland semi-final between Donegal and Meath. This involved showing awareness videos on the big screen, a pitchside interview with Jason Poole of the Erin’s Isle club in Finglas, whose sister Jennifer, a beloved playing member of the club, was murdered by her former partner in 2021, and the unfurling of a huge Game Changer flag on the pitch ahead of the senior game. You may have seen some of the coverage on Sunday’s 6 and 9 o’clock news on RTE.
We are now turning our attention to the testing of the Game Changer e-learning modules that will live on Tobar, the GAA’s E-Learning platform. Your help in testing the content for Modules 3 & 4 will be invaluable. If you would be interested in participating on Thursday 17th of July at 6pm please complete the this LINK
We are now turning our attention to the testing of the Game Changer e-learning modules that will live on Tobar, the GAA’s E-Learning platform. Your help in testing the content for Modules 3 & 4 will be invaluable. If you would be interested in participating on Thursday 17th of July at 6pm please complete the this LINK
We are looking for adult players, coaches, volunteers and club officers.
This will take place at 6pm on Thursday July 17th in Croke Park. We acknowledge the short notice which was unavoidable.
Module 3 is designed exclusively for adult (18+) male and female players.
While Module 4 is designed to speak directly to non-playing adult officers, coaches, volunteers, general membership, and should also be of interest to parents of juvenile/teenage players.
Module Information:
Module 3 (adult players) - Be the change: Leading for equality in the Gaelic Games and beyond
This lesson focuses on healthy relationships and looks at how they are important in different aspects of life, including friendships, family, romantic relationships, and team dynamics. Content covered: honesty, communication, trust, respect, and boundaries.
The lesson will also cover the benefits of healthy relationships, the role of consent, and how to recognise and navigate unhealthy or abusive dynamics. Understanding these elements is essential in preventing and combating Domestic, Sexual, and Gender-Based Violence (DSGBV), as fostering respect, equality, and clear boundaries helps challenge the attitudes and behaviours that enable harm.
Learning Outcomes:
By the end of this lesson, participants will be able to:
1. Identify the key characteristics of a healthy relationship, including honesty, trust, respect, communication, and boundaries.
2. Explain the benefits of maintaining healthy relationships on mental, emotional, and physical levels.
3. Describe the concept of personal boundaries and the different types (for example, time, physical, emotional, intellectual).
4. Understand the importance of consent in all interactions, particularly in romantic and sexual relationships.
5. Recognise the signs of unhealthy or abusive relationships and understand the importance of seeking help when needed.
Module 4 (Adult Coaches, Volunteers, Club Officers and Community Organisers) -Leadership in Action: Promoting a Culture of Respect within Clubs and Communities
This module looks what Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence is, what its roots are and its general impact. It also focuses on how DSGBV crosses into sporting contexts, and how coaches or those in an organising position can foster “safer spaces” within clubs, as well as support on navigating negative behaviour within a club context and how to support a victim-survivor of DSGBV if they were to disclose to them. Finally, there is a discussion on minding yourself as a coach/community organiser in order to avoid burnout and sustain community work.
