"This is Us!": Cookstown Fr Rocks Girls Programme

Who are we?

Our Club is located on Convent Road, Cookstown Co Tyrone BT80 8DH. Formed in 1889, the Club is the oldest Club in County Tyrone. The Club has 600 members, which includes 355 youth members and 213 female members.

In total the Club has 24 teams, as follows: Go Games (U7 to U10): 6 boys teams and 4 girls teams; Youth (U11 to U18): 4 boys teams and 6 girls teams; Adult teams: 1 Male team and 3 female teams.

Cookstown Fr Rocks has been the central focal point within the GAA community in Cookstown since forming in 1889 (5 years after the formation of the GAA). When augmented with a range of secondary activities including Scor, community health & wellbeing programmes, older persons social events at their facilities, walking/jogging group etc the Club reach far exceeds 1,000+ people both directly and indirectly.

Ultimately, as a GAA Club the main purpose, aims and objectives of Cookstown Fr Rocks GFC is to promote GAA activities within all Club programmes. The club achieves this by playing a significant role in community-driven core GAA activity, leisure, cross-community activities, Irish culture, and the general wellbeing within their catchment across Cookstown. The club also achieves this by providing facilities, programmes and initiatives for all in and around the catchment of Cookstown.

A strong purpose of the Club is to ensure that they are open and inclusive to all within the ethos of the GAA. As such, a major aim of the Club is to deliver programmes that promote this inclusivity going forward to groups traditionally excluded from GAA facilities and those underrepresented in sport (such as females, young people, persons with disabilities, minority ethnics, older people living isolated in the community of Cookstown). We do this by providing GAA facilities, programmes and initiatives as noted, as well as volunteering opportunities so people can stay involved in the club outside playing opportunities. 

Through the Club's facilities and the social, physical, and recreational activity offered by the Clubs dedicated team of volunteers, the Club has been central to overseeing the development of the GAA within the local Cookstown area. Not just by meeting the sporting needs of the community but also by meeting the social, wellbeing, and cultural needs of the community that surrounds the Club.

Why are we crowdfunding?

We are crowdfunding to launch our new "This is for US!" programme. It is a new girls programme at our club, to encourage more girls to take up football through new opportunities the programme will create. 

We aim to have 300+ women and girls actively participating in our GAA activities next season, making Cookstown Fr Rocks one of the largest Ladies Gaelic Football Clubs in the North (and probably Ireland). 

To achieve this, we need to ensure that we have the necessary facilities to rent (we only have 1 grass pitch currently), equipment and coaching resources to get more girls in Cookstown playing sport and GAA. 

Our project is focused on delivering a new "come and try" programme for girls of all ages from November, for 16 weeks. 

We also want to increase the amount of contact time our current girls have with coaches, thereby enhancing their development and enjoyment of the game.

In addition to our regular training sessions, we will be introducing the new "come and try" programme that is girls-only on a Sunday morning, 2 hours per week. This will be aimed at girls who have not played much sport before, and are trying GAA for the first time. 

This initiative is designed to build a strong foundation for girls' GAA in our community of Cookstown, helping them transition smoothly into our Club for the new 2025 season. 

We see women and girls' GAA as a critical area of growth for our club, and your support will help us achieve our vision of making GAA accessible and enjoyable for all.

This Cookstown Fr Rocks initiative represents a new initiative, distinct from our regular Club activities. Traditionally, our club's focus has been on coaching when the season is on. This winter programme from Novemeber, however, marks a significant expansion of our offering, aimed specifically at providing year-round engagement for women and girls—many of whom have had limited opportunities in sports locally here in Cookstown.

How we’ll spend the money raised

We only have 1 GAA pitch, so to cater for this additional programme we need to hire external facilities. £3,500 raised will allow us to hire MUSA and the local Leisure Centre over 12 weeks @ £45 per hour. 

A further £3,500 will allow us to purchase specific equipment which will enable us to deliver the programme, but also act as the legacy of the programme because the equipment will be used for our female club long term. And, it will help ensure our coaches are equipped to deliver quality coaching sessions into the future. The equipment will include- Balls, Bibs, Cones, Multi Sport Coaching Packs that will cater for increased female membership (of over 300+ as noted). 

£2,000 will be set aside for coaching awards, and volunteer upskilling opportunites. Especially targeting our female volunteers to get more involved with coaching and ultimatley leading on the development of our female Club going forward.

£500 will be used for some marketing of the programme, social media local press etc to ensure it reaches as many people in Cookstown as possible.

£500 will cover weekly healthy refreshments for the programme.

Community impact

Our Girls GAA Programme will positively impact the Cookstown community in several meaningful ways. Our project aligns with the goals of the Sport NI "Creating Opportunities" Funding Programme by promoting inclusivity, improving health, and fostering community spirit. Here’s how:

1. Promoting Inclusivity

• Accessible Sports: Our "Come and Try" sessions make GAA accessible to all girls, including those who haven’t played sports before.
• Welcoming Environment: We create a safe and friendly space where everyone feels welcome, regardless of their background or abilities.

2. Improving Health and Wellbeing

• Physical Fitness: Regular GAA activities help girls stay active and healthy.
• Mental Health: Playing sports reduces stress and builds confidence.
• Social Connections: Being part of a team helps girls make friends and feel connected to the community.

3. Empowering Women and Girls

• Skill Building: More coaching time helps girls improve their GAA skills and enjoy the game.
• Leadership Opportunities: Training for female volunteers encourages women to take on leadership roles within the club.
• Personal Growth: Sports teach teamwork, discipline, and resilience, benefiting girls in all areas of life.

4. Strengthening Community Ties

• Bringing People Together: Our programmes engage different age groups, fostering strong community bonds.
• Celebrating Culture: Promoting Irish culture through GAA strengthens local pride and heritage.
• Volunteer Support: Encouraging more volunteers builds a supportive network that benefits the entire community.

5. Long-term Sustainability

• Lasting Resources: The equipment we purchase will benefit the club for years to come.
• Ongoing Programmes: Our efforts will enable continued community activities, ensuring lasting positive effects.

How We Align with Sport NI "Creating Opportunities"

Our Girls GAA Programme matches the Sport NI "Creating Opportunities" goals by:

• Opening Doors: Making GAA accessible to all girls, regardless of their background.
• Building Community: Strengthening social connections and community spirit through sports.
• Enhancing Wellbeing: Promoting physical and mental health for individuals and the community.
• Ensuring Longevity: Creating lasting resources and programs that benefit future generations.

Why Your Support Matters

By supporting our crowdfunder, you’re helping to:

• Increase Participation: Bring more girls into GAA, making it one of the largest Ladies Gaelic Football Clubs in the region.
• Enhance Facilities and Resources: Provide the necessary tools and spaces for girls to play and grow.
• Foster a Strong Community: Build a supportive and inclusive environment where everyone can thrive.

How you can play your part

There are four simple ways to help us reach our target, and make this project a reality.

1. Make a pledge. Don’t delay if you’re going to support us because momentum is key to our success!

2. Spread the word. Share our project on your social media pages and tell the world to get behind us! The more people we reach, the more support we will get.

3. Offer rewards. Get involved if you are a local business by donating things we can offer to our supporters. We will give you a shout out!

4. Fundraise for us. If you want to run your own fundraiser – maybe a sponsored activity or similar – use the 'contact project' button at the top of our page to let us know. Setting up your own page only takes a few minutes and you won’t need any bank details. Just a fun idea!

Join us in empowering the girls of Cookstown and strengthening our community through sports. Your support makes a real difference!

Donate Today and be a part of our journey to make GAA accessible and enjoyable for all girls in Cookstown.

Thank You for Your Support!