The club is acutely aware of the importance of retaining girls in sport into their teenage years. Research from Sport Ireland shows that girls are four times more likely to drop out of sports as they enter their teenage years, and the club has experienced this drop-off in participation, particularly during the recent COVID years. For 2024 the club set a goal to reverse this significant decline in female teenage participation in sports within the local community by promoting continued engagement in sports among young girls through camogie. Additionally, as Sport Ireland notes, girls who remain active during their teenage years and cultivate a passion for sports are significantly more likely to maintain a lifelong commitment to physical activity and exercise in adulthood.
In June 2023, Liam Mellows (under 12-14 players) hosted camogie teams from New York, Galway, and Mayo in a one-day blitz at Ballyloughane. The club has since been invited to participate in a similar blitz in New York at the end of this month, with teams from New York, Cappataggle and Kerry also participating in the Round Robin Tournament in Gaelic Park.
Laoise Grealish, an U15 club player with the club, describes what camogie and the trip mean to her and her team: "We were all so excited when we found out that we were going to New York! It’s such an amazing honour to be one of the first underage club team from Ireland and even better to be going with girls I’ve been playing with, some since I started Camogie with Liam Mellows at four years of age. Getting to play in Gaelic Park is an unbelievable opportunity and we’re so grateful to all the people who have helped to make this trip possible. It will be so special representing Liam Mellows Hurling and Camogie club, we intend on doing the club proud, inspiring more trips abroad in the future! As a group we will cherish this experience making friendships and memories that will last a lifetime".
Participating in this international blitz and providing the necessary resources requires a significant financial commitment. Along with extensive fundraising efforts undertaken enthusiastically by the club players over the past 12 months to cover player travel expenses, the club is also working with local businesses to support this goal of keeping young girls involved in sport. Monaghans Centra are supporting this cross community initiative for the second time, having previously provided sponsorship for the inaugural 2023 Coast to Coast Blitz, demonstrating their ongoing commitment to girls in sport at a community level. Coffey and Arrabawn (Aurivo) generously sponsored jerseys for the U13 and U15 teams for the NY blitz and these will also be used in Championship games in 2025. Kitting out the players traveling to New York was also facilitated by support from Envirobead, Pat Kelly Heating & Plumbing, Corrib Oil, Monaghans Centra and Dominic O'Connor. Other local businesses that have assisted include Gotham Drywall New York, Bon Secours Hospital, Barna Waste, All4Baby, Circle K and Thermo King. Fundraising to cover players expenses for the trip continues, and donations to this fundraiser are being accepted until 29th November via https://www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/LiamMellowsNYBlitz
Madeline McLoughlin of Liam Mellows Galway City Hurling & Camogie Club said, "We are delighted to unite with local businesses in support of our drive to keep young girls in sport. We wish to thank all the local businesses who have actively engaged with the club to help us reach our target fundraising goal. This cross-community initiative aligns with our club’s commitment and efforts to strongly encourage teenage girls to remain in sports. We are very proud to be one of the first underage camogie clubs from Ireland along with Cappataggle Camogie club and Kerry Causeway Comprehensive to participate in a blitz in New York and look forward to playing in Gaelic Park."
Simon Monaghan outlined why it was important for Monaghans Centra to be involved in this initiative, "We are truly proud to support Liam Mellows and to be part of this landmark occasion for underage camogie. We deeply value promoting a passion for sport and share the club’s commitment to driving positive change within the community."
Sean Coffey, Director of Human Resources and IT, Coffey, commented "Coffey is delighted to support Liam Mellows club in this initiative to keep girls in sport. The club’s dedication to positive change in sports is very inspiring. As a coach and a father to a young camogie player within Liam Mellows, I can see first-hand how successful this approach is".
Niamh Jinx, Communications and Brand Manager, Aurivo Dairy: “Arrawbawn Fresh Milk brand is delighted to support the Liam Mellows Camogie teams as they head to New York for the blitz this month. Supporting local communities in our region is a very important to us, and we are especially proud to champion girls in sport. We wish the team the very best of luck!”
Liam Mellows U13 and U15 players were presented with gear bags, kindly sponsored by Corrib Oil, Galway
Liam Mellows U13 and U15 players at Monaghans Centra Ballybrit where they were presented with tops for their upcoming New York camogie blitz by Simon Monaghan
