Irish Life GAA Healthy Clubs Every Step Counts Challenge 2025: Inspiring 1,000 communities to walk a record-breaking 7 million kilometres towards a healthier Ireland.
• The Irish Life GAA Healthy Clubs Every Step Counts Challenge, run on the MyLife App*, saw 39,000 participants from over 1,000 clubs track 7 million kilometres in just 5 weeks
• 1,046 GAA clubs participated in the challenge, an increase of 110 clubs from 2024
• This year saw the biggest increase in participation among younger cohorts (18-29 yrs) measurably improving their health through physical activity and social connection
• Irish Life's Health of the Nation Report 2024 found that under 35s had the biggest declines in their health Irish Life and the GAA have announced the winners of the 2025 Irish Life GAA Healthy Clubs Every Step Counts Challenge. The challenge, hosted on MyLife, Irish Life’s health and wellbeing app, is now recognised as an award-winning initiative for Best Societal Impact at the 2024 Irish Sponsorship Awards, and continues to be a driving force for wellbeing in the community. For the fifth year running, Ireland’s largest steps challenge, in partnership with the Irish Life GAA Healthy Clubs Programme, encouraged people from all over the country to get out walking with the aim of creating a healthier Ireland.
With 1,046 clubs participating—an increase of 110 from last year—marks an all-time high for the challenge, which has inspired 136 clubs from Connacht, 347 from Leinster, 277 from Munster, and 286 from Ulster to get moving. Almost 39,000 participants tracked an average of 5km per day, totalling a record-breaking 7.03 million kilometres over the 5 weeks. The challenge runs concurrently with the GAA’s ever-popular Ireland Lights Up initiative that sees clubs across Ireland turn on their lights and welcome their members and communities to come together for weekly social walks during the dark winter months, supporting their physical and social health. The biggest shift in this year’s challenge was seen among younger cohorts, with increased participation among 18-29 years. Since joining Every Step Counts, they have self-reported significant improvements in their physical activity levels, connection with others and their community, as well as increased satisfaction with their overall quality of life. The health outcomes of Every Step Counts 2025 mark a positive shift, as findings in Irish Life’s 2024 Health of the Nation Report highlighted worrying declines in social health among under 35s and 60% of Irish adults are now overweight or obese, generating a national Health Score via the MyLife app of 520 (fair). The resulting health impact among this year’s challenge participants has been an average MyLife Health Score of 592 (good) – 72 points above the national average.
The Irish Life GAA Healthy Clubs Programme delivers health and well-being benefits worth €50M to Ireland, an independent Social Return on Investment (SROI) evaluation completed by Just Economics in 2023 highlighted the significant health and well-being gains for participants, including increases in physical activity and adopting of healthier behaviours. Irish Life’s ambition is to continue the Irish Life GAA Healthy Clubs Every Step Counts Challenge to keep people active through a fun and collaborative initiative. The five-week challenge is not only an enjoyable way to get active within the community but can help participants to see measurable improvements to their overall health through the MyLife App. Clubs that surpassed the 4,000 KM goal were entered into a draw to win one of three €2,500 donations towards club funding for each province. The 2025 winners of the Irish Life GAA Healthy Clubs Every Step Counts Challenge are:
Connacht
• Kilglass Gaels, Roscommon – 5,198km tracked / 32 participants
• Davitts, Mayo – 6,167km tracked / 39 participants
• Caherlistrane, Galway – 7,923km tracked / 46 participants
Leinster
• Clonguish, Longford– 12,114km tracked / 75 participants
• Tubberclair, Westmeath – 6,172km tracked / 59 participants
• St Peter’s Dunboyne, Meath – 16,499km tracked / 104 participants
Munster
• Fergus Rovers, Clare – 4132km tracked / 19 participants
• Fossa, Kerry – 12,956km tracked / 62 participants
• De La Salle, Waterford – 19,299.8km tracked / 102 participants
Ulster
• Bryansford GAC, Down – 34,892km tracked / 179 participants
• Caisleán na Deirge, Tyrone – 6,852km tracked / 56 participants
• Éire Óg Na Mullai, Monaghan – 9,096km tracked / 55 participants
