Other Activities
GAA For All
In early 2021, Moy Davitts realised that there was a real need for the club to offer a specific. GAA programme for children with additional needs. Volunteers came forward to help and Mayo Sports Partnership and Mayo North East provided invaluable help and guidance in getting the GAA for ALL Programme established. It has been a huge success, attracting children from all over the county.
The children have a range of abilities and additional needs including autism, down syndrome and wheelchair users. One to one support is provided to the children each week to ensure that they are comfortable and confident in each session. Teenagers are also recruited to help.
Parents are given the opportunity to meet other parents in similar situations and to watch their children at play. Their confidence has improved, and they were now part of a team. Each week the coaches adapt the games to suit the abilities of the participants and make sure that the emphasis is always on having fun and making friends.
In 2023, the importance of this group to the wider community was recognised in the Western People Sports Awards and a Mayo Co. Council Cathaoirleach award nomination. GAA for All co- ordinator Deirdre Maloney was also recognised for her tireless work with this group when shereceived a national Volunteer in Sport award. Special word of thanks to Mayo North East and the Run for Boylo for their continued support of our team.
Healthy Clubs Initiative: Gold Award Recipient
In late 2021, Moy Davitts took the first formal step on the GAA Healthy Clubs initiative, which aims to transform clubs into hubs for health within their communities. It supports GAA clubs in responding to, and supporting the health and well-being of their members and the wider community which they serve. The Moy Davitts Healthy Clubs Committee priortised the areas of physical activity, diversity and inclusion, community development, mental fitness and healthy eating.
Following a very successful two years, the Moy Davitts Healthy Club Committee was officially recognised in 2023 as a Gold Award recipient for aligning club policies towards the best
practices of a healthy body, healthy mind and healthy club.
Dads & Lads (O35s)
The Over 35s team was established in 2021 as a team for players who no longer play competitively but fancied a casual kick-around once a week. Later that summer, the GAA set up the Dads & Lads initiative and provincial and national blitzes were planned.
The Moy Davitts Dads & Lads were one of the first teams to be set up in Connacht and with Curry Dads & Lads (Co. Sligo) a series of “friendlies” were held in the last two years.
In 2023, the team participated in the National Blitz in Dublin and a Dads and Lads blitz in Athlone. In August 2023, the Dads & Lads team played Curry in the inaugural Peter Murphy Cup.
Moy Davitts LGFA
Moy Davitts LGFA, who operate separately from Moy Davitts GAA, are also based at Srath Garbh, Foxford and use the same facilities as Moy Davitts GAA.
Moy Davitts LGFA was set up, under the guidance of Kathleen Canning and Michael Kneafsey, in the mid-1990s with the aim of providing sporting opportunities for girls of all ages through Gaelic Football. The club has won various underage titles, and it won the Mayo Junior title in 1995. In 1999 the club won the U14 Féile Girl’s All-Ireland title.
Over the years, the club has had mixed success, playing in Intermediate and Senior football at different times. The Club is currently playing Intermediate football and contested the Mayo
Intermediate Final in 2023. The Ladies’ Club has over 200 registered members, with teams from U6 to Senior. It is hoped to integrate Moy Davitts GAA and Moy Davitts LGFA in the very near future.
