Mayo schools urged to apply for a place on #SeriousSupport programme

Mayo schools are being urged to apply for a place on Lidl Ireland’s #SeriousSupport schools programme.

Twenty-six winning schools – one from every county in the Republic of Ireland – will be selected to receive dedicated mentor workshops and training sessions designed to increase participation and educate girls about the positive mental and physical health benefits of engaging in sport.

In 2025, St. Brendan’s College was the school from Co. Mayo that participated in the programme.

Now in its eighth year, the #SeriousSupport schools programme, supported by the Ladies Gaelic Football Association (LGFA) and delivered by Youth Sport Trust, has visited more than 180 schools to date and impacted around 3,787 girls aged between 11 and 14.

Returning for the 2026/27 school year, workshops are delivered by Lidl Ireland’s athlete mentors who are current or former elite-level inter-county LGFA players. This year sees a stellar line-up of stars ready to inspire the next generation, including Meabh De Burca (Galway), Cathy Carey (Antrim), Charlene Tyrrell (Leitrim), Hannah Tyrrell (Dublin), Therese Scott (Monaghan), Muireann Devaney (Leitrim) and Laurie Ryan (Clare).

Drawing on their experience playing at the highest level, each athlete mentor brings their personal perspective on the physical and mental health benefits of sport, and how sport can transform the lives of young people. With a focus on engaging girls in sport, and reducing drop-out rates during the critical pre-teen and teenage years, the programme includes a focus on retention and the life benefits that can be gained through engaging in sport, centred around the programme’s values of performance, respect, trust, grounded and belonging.

In addition to the bespoke programme delivery, all winning schools will receive a new set of jerseys for their school team.

Lidl Ireland is seeking nominations from Mayo shoppers across the country to nominate their chosen school to be in with a chance of winning a coveted county spot.

To enter, Lidl shoppers can simply complete the nomination form. Entries close at 5 p.m. on Friday, September 18.

AMAZING BENEFITS

Speaking about the programme, LGFA President Trina Murray said: “Lidl’s #SeriousSupport schools programme is now open for entries, and we would encourage all schools to call on family, friends and members of the community to enter on behalf of your school. With only one lucky winning school per county, you don’t want to miss out on all of the amazing benefits this programme has to offer.

“Not only do young students develop key life skills, they also get to hear from our inter-county stars who are working as athlete mentors. We look forward to following the progress of the programme and the announcement of the winning schools.”

Ali Oliver MBE, Youth Sport Trust CEO, stated: “Youth Sport Trust is proud to partner with Lidl Ireland and the Ladies Gaelic Football Association on the #SeriousSupport schools programme. Beyond physical health, engaging in physical activity provides immense benefits during these formative years – including boosted wellbeing, resilience, and the development of key life skills – and team sports in particular support improved social connection and communication.

“Our athlete mentors have an incredible wealth of experience to help inspire young people to overcome barriers, empowering more girls to stay active and involved with sports.”

Eimear O’Sullivan, corporate affairs director at Lidl Ireland & Northern Ireland, added: “As long-standing partners to the LGFA and as champion supporters of women in sport across Ireland, we’re delighted to bring our #SeriousSupport schools programme back for another year. Team sports play a vital role in supporting young people’s wellbeing and working with the LGFA, Youth Sport Trust and our dedicated team of athlete mentors, we remain committed to empower and motivate young girls throughout the country through their participation in ladies Gaelic football.”

After a decade of support for LGFA, with a ground breaking major corporate sponsorship of a women’s sport back in 2016, earlier this year Lidl Ireland reaffirmed its commitment to the LGFA and women’s sport more broadly, announcing an extended partnership of LGFA to 2030 and a fresh €7.5m investment into the game, taking the retailer’s total investment in LGFA to €22.5m since the partnership began.

Full details of the scheme can be found at https://www.lidl.ie/serious-support.