EQUALITY, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) are integral to what the GAA is all about. Being truly inclusive is living out our motto “Where we all belong.”

Inclusion ensures that everyone has a place in our community and real inclusion will be reflective of diversity in society.

While we remain true to our Gaelic ethos and culture, it is important that our Association feels welcoming for everyone irrespective of gender, marital status, family status, sexual orientation, religion, age, race or minority community or disability.

We should also be proactive rather than reactive when it comes to the delivery of equity for everyone.

The GAA has a zero-tolerance policy in relation to bullying, racism, sectarianism and discrimination. The vast majority of work within the GAA happens at club level and this is why it is invaluable to our association that clubs promote EDI.

A number of practical measures can be undertaken to advance EDI within our clubs. Firstly, the club can appoint someone with responsibility for Inclusion and Integration.

This person could establish an Inclusion/Integration workgroup to oversee this work, involving all codes, communicate with County Integration Officers, promote integration and collaboration in Gaelic games, attend EDI workshops and seminars, oversee the development and implementation of the club inclusion/equality policy.

Clubs can also provide GAA for all programmes to ensure that all members have access to the same opportunities and reach their potential.

This is a family of initiatives in the GAA encompassing wheelchair hurling and camogie, football for all, fun and run, All-Star programme, inclusive clubs and intercultural activities.

Ulster GAA also organises specialist workshops and introductory sessions to train coaches in dealing with participants with special needs and/or disabilities.

Moreover, the health and well-being programme and club health and well-being officers have enabled clubs to use their membership, facilities, and standing in their local community to roll out activities which appeal to members of the wider community. We are currently delivering our ‘One Punch’ programme to clubs across the province.

It is important that our clubs cater for our elderly members. Many older people love the opportunity to come together to socialise, engage in arts and crafts, listen to music, dance and so on.

Some district councils now have an older people’s officer who are willing to work with the club in terms of signposting our older members to events and services which will be useful for them.

Furthermore, new communities and citizens enrich our club life. It is important to find out how many migrants live in the local community and gain an understanding of where they are from, contact them and invite them to a club function/event/game/’have-a-go’ days as an introduction to club life. You could run a cultural evening which mixes our Irish culture/music/song/dance with theirs. A range of local migrant support groups and networks are now in place across Ulster for advice.

Local GAA clubs contribute positively to the community with use of facilities for community events, making club facilities available to local groups and for local events, taking part in appropriate local campaigns, club members sitting on local boards and committees and club members contributing to other more strategic structures such as local sports partnerships.

Additionally, we want to be an association that respects the place, values and ethos of others. ‘Have-a-go’ events, followed by a social occasion, can be carried out with local community groups and schools to engage the non-traditional GAA community.

This can also take the form of inviting politicians from all sections of the community to club events, club personnel attending council events, sharing good practice in how to manage clubs and run events with others, clubs contributing to councils’ good relations work and being involved in local cross-community history and heritage groups/projects. ‘Lá na gClub’ is also a great opportunity to showcase life in the club to all of the community.

Lastly, support and advice on all of these issues is available from our Ulster GAA EDI officer at niamh.mcelduff.ulster@gaa.ie.