Lidl Ireland have announced the 2022 launch of its #SeriousSupport Schools Program, designed to increase participation of young girls at secondary school stage in ladies Gaelic football. The retailer is seeking nominations from Irish shoppers across the country that will give their chosen school the opportunity to benefit from the program, which will commence after the Halloween mid-term break.
Supported by the LGFA and delivered by Youth Sport Trust and their specially trained athlete mentors through workshops and training sessions, the program is designed to educate girls about the positive mental and physical health benefits of playing ladies Gaelic football. The program also aims to increase participation and reduce drop-out rates for teenagers in the sport. Twenty-six schools across Ireland will have the opportunity to benefit from the program along with receiving a new set of jerseys for their school team.
The athlete mentors, all of whom are current or former inter county ladies Gaelic football players, are committed to using sport to transform the lives of young people. The mentors will introduce students to the program’s values of Respect, Trust, Responsibility and Recognition, which are key to the success of the athletes themselves. The full team of athlete mentors who will deliver the program will be confirmed along with the 26 schools chosen to participate in November. Supporting the launch of the 2022-23 program are Lidl brand ambassadors and secondary school teachers, Carla Rowe of Dublin and Tipperary’s Aishling Moloney.
To enter, shoppers can simply complete the nomination form found at www.lidl.ie/serioussupport and enter their 10-digit unique Lidl receipt code from either a paper or Lidl Plus digital receipt. Entries close on Sunday, 23rd October.
Speaking about the program, Lidl ambassador and #SeriousSupport Schools Program athlete mentor, Carla Rowe said: “I’m delighted to see the continued support for Lidl’s #SeriousSupport Schools Program. The program is specifically designed to increase participation and reduce drop out levels among teenage girl while teaching them about the mental and physical health benefits of playing ladies Gaelic football. Having been an athlete mentor since the program began, I have seen first-hand the impact it can have on students’ confidence, self-esteem, and resilience and it makes me so proud to be involved in it. Hopefully we’ll unearth several future stars of ladies Gaelic football along the way too!”
President of the LGFA, Mícheál Naughton, commented: “Lidl’s #SeriousSupport Schools program is about to commence once again – and it’s become one of the most important items on our calendar of events. The benefits of this program are endless. Not only do young students develop key life skills, but they also get to hear from our inter-county stars who are working as athlete mentors. These players have experienced so much in their lives to date, and the knowledge that they can impart to young students is invaluable. At such a pivotal and challenging time in the lives of these young students, the positive messaging that the athlete mentors can deliver is so important. We look forward to following the progress of Lidl’s #SeriousSupport Schools program and monitoring the impact that it will make.”
Joe Mooney, Senior Partnerships Manager at Lidl Ireland, added; “At Lidl, we’re delighted to recommence the #SeriousSupport Schools Program nationwide for another school year. It has proven to be one of the most impactful initiatives we have delivered in partnership with the LGFA since the sponsorship with the association began in 2016. Working in conjunction with the LGFA, Youth Sport Trust, and our team of athlete mentors, we are committed to supporting the ladies Gaelic football and wider sporting journeys of young girls in Ireland through affirmative action and education which will hopefully see them continue to participate into their adult lives.”
In January, Lidl Ireland announced a four-year extension of its award-winning sponsorship of the LGFA, that will ultimately mark a decade of #SeriousSupport. The extension will represent an investment of €10 million in 10 years of sponsorship by the retailer
