The ‘All Stars’ gives people with disabilities an opportunity to participate in sport and become members of the club.
Roscommon Gaels – The ‘All Stars’
Roscommon Gaels is a duel GAA club situated in Roscommon Town. It provides an opportunity for everyone in its catchment area to take part in ladies and men’s Football, Hurling, Camogie and Scor.
1. Openness
‘Be open to and understanding of all people with disabilities’
When we did an audit on the club we found that there was one section of the community that’s was being neglected and that was people with disabilities. In order to be a fully inclusive club some members attended a night on Inclusion in Sport which was chaired by Roscommon County Council. After that the club decided to set up “The All Stars” in order to give people with disabilities an opportunity to participate in sport and become members of the club.
2. People
‘Access training for our staff/volunteers to facilitate the inclusion of people with disabilities’
The All Stars caters for people with disabilities from the age of 6 and it is open to any child in the county from any club in the county. Volunteers to run the All Stars club were recruited from within the club. The volunteers are made up of juvenile players, club coaches and a group of people willing to make teas for the parents while their children are having fun.
3. Activities
‘Develop and deliver inclusive activities’
Every Friday evening the club meet presently in the Hyde Centre but when things return to normal the club will move to our club grounds in Lisnamult, where the Astro pitch will be used. During the winter a table quiz was held to raise funds for equipment, this was also an opportunity for parents of the all stars and other club member to get together and enjoy a social get together. We also entered a video of the all stars in action into a competition which was sponsored by TG4 and Subaru and we won a 201 Subaru which is to be raffled to raise club funds. Some of the members of the all stars also attend the academy which is run for mainstream 6 to 8 year olds.
4. Facilities
‘Review our facility/venues/equipment to make our organisation more accessible’
Roscommon Gaels are based in Lisnamult Roscommon where we have pitches, new changing rooms which are fully accessible, a hurling wall and an Astro pitch is being laid presently. When the development at Lisnamult is complete it will be fully accessible. Up until the changing rooms were complete we used the Hyde Centre.
5. Promotion
‘Promote the inclusive nature of our activities, in a variety of formats’
When recruiting for the All Stars all clubs were circulated and members invited to join. There were also hoardings around the town, articles in local papers and parish newsletters with contact numbers. Local newspapers also promote the club through the weekly club notes.
