Mayo club travels to Limerick for 2025 ZuCar Gaelic4Teens Festival Day
The 2025 ZuCar Gaelic4Teens Festival Days, held at Trim GAA and University of Limerick, were bathed in sunshine.
Among the 11 clubs that attended over the two days was Castlebar Mitchels from Mayo, who joined up with clubs representing Kerry, Waterford, Tipperary, Galway and Limerick at the event in UL. Meanwhile, clubs from Meath, Louth and Down were present in Trim, Co. Meath.
Both days were packed with fun, football and music as players and mentors mingled with ZuCar Gaelic4Teens ambassadors and LGFA coaches, who passed on some key tips.
Club members and players shared their experiences from a hugely-successful 2025 ZuCar Gaelic4Teens programme, which will conclude with club visits from a ZuCar Gaelic4Teens ambassador or a county player to conduct a coaching session and witness theory in action.
At the festival days, players took part in a series of small-sided games that enabled them to showcase their developing skills, while also absorbing messages from the ambassadors on topics such as skill development, nutrition/hydration, team building and athletic development.
The programme benefited hugely this year once again from the presence of sponsors ZuCar, who are also the LGFA’s official performance partner and sponsors of the All-Ireland Under 18 Championships.
Following a hugely successful pilot in 2017, Gaelic4Teens has grown considerably and aims to help clubs to retain their current playing bases in the 13-17 age bracket, which has been identified as a group with a high drop-out rate.
The ZuCar Gaelic4Teens programme worked closely with coaches, influencing the content of their coaching sessions as well as establishing the best ways for coaches to engage and interact with their players.
In addition, the programme examined the coaching environments required to ensure that the long-term development of players is being facilitated in the clubs.
As well as tailoring training sessions, there was a focus on education, with some of the ZuCar Gaelic4Teens ambassadors providing expertise and advice to participants for the duration of the programme, alongside some fellow inter-county stars.
Representatives from the 20 participating clubs in the full Gaelic4Teens programme attended six online coach education sessions delivered by the ZuCar Gaelic4Teens ambassadors, while also attending regional in-person coaching events and receiving a club visit.
RESEARCH
The research that prompted the development of the Gaelic4Teens programme revealed that players play for enjoyment, to improve and get better, to keep fit and healthy, to relieve stress, and because their friends also play.
The reasons highlighted for giving up the sport are that they don’t get enough playing time, there is no fun at training, that it is too competitive, and that they are treated differently.
The spectacular festival days at the Trim GAA and University of Limerick showcased the key messaging for both players and coaches.
LGFA president Trina Murray commented: “Well done to all 20 clubs who participated in the 2025 ZuCar Gaelic4Teens programme. The festival days in Trim and Limerick were memorable events, with players, mentors and all of those present slapping on the sun cream and enjoying all that was on offer.
“The ZuCar Gaelic4Teens programme is going from strength to strength and it was great to see huge engagement levels from the clubs involved once again this year. Our ambassadors and inter-county players involved played a huge role in the roll-out of the programme and a huge thanks is also due to ZuCar, who remain heavily invested in the Gaelic4Teens programme.
“I look forward to seeing more clubs apply for the 2026 programme and I wish our 2025 clubs the very best as they move forward with a renewed sense of purpose.”
Gavin Hydes, group CEO of ZuCar, added: “We are exceptionality proud of our association with the Gaelic4Teens programme. Developing this underage talent is fundamental to the future and we were very excited to be involved with an initiative that is aimed at developing coaches and increasing the retention rate of teenage girls in ladies' football. This was a wonderful opportunity for coaches to grow and learn, and to then assist young players involved in the LGFA.”
Twenty clubs took part in the 2025 ZuCar Gaelic4Teens programme, including eight from Connacht, while 11 clubs attended the festival days.