Clubs up and down the county are preparing to hold their AGMs at this time of year, reflecting on the season just past and preparing for fresh challenges in 2018.

In putting in place a committee to guide club affairs in the season ahead, all clubs should bear in mind the importance of the health and wellbeing of their members.

And the appointment of a Healthy Club Officer(s) is one significant step that should be taken.

Many clubs already have an officer in place, but many do not, and are missing out on the benefits of an active health and wellbeing programme.

One club that has grasped the issue and taken several worthwhile initiatives is Tyrone's Clann na nGael.

A busy programme of activities organised by the club on an ongoing basis has been of immense benefit to members and to the wider community.

Fionnuala Conwell, the Health Club Officer, says: "Clann Na nGael is a small rural club nestled in the Sperrins within North Tyrone. Our club does ordinary things extraordinary well when it comes to promoting health and wellbeing.

"We try to accommodate all ages and stages of life to ensure that there is something for everyone to benefit from. The success of our club is a credit to the volunteers who tirelessly give up their time to ensure that the entire community and club can benefit from many social and sporting activities, opportunities and events which help promote physical and mental health and wellbeing in a rural area."

Fionnuala wants to see as many people as possible to participate in this weekend's Turkey Trot.

"On Sunday the 17th December the club are hosting our second annual 5k 'Turkey Trot' and children's 1k fun run for everyone to either walk, jog or run. This will be followed by a 'Breakfast with Santa' and all proceeds from both events will be used to purchase a defibrillator and accompanying storage unit for access in a communal area for community use, should ever the need arise."

Indeed, Clann na nGael club members and the wider community are spoilt for choice when it comes to participation in a wide range of activities.

Clann Na nGael Walk/Jog/Run club was launched in early 2016 and has grown from strength to strength. It has continually brought members from the community who were not associated with football, into becoming paid fully fledged members of CNG. 

The running club provides health and fitness running training three times a week. The club has been represented at many races and events, the most notable being the Omagh and Derry half marathons, the Hard as Oak challenge, and the Jaffa Cake Mud Madness event ,where representatives raised money towards Marie Curie. The club are currently in the process of becoming affiliated with Athletics NI.

A strength and conditioning gym class is provided in the community every Wednesday evening for females only in the local community units.

The club has received two defibrillators from Sport NI's 'Defibrillators for Sport' Initiative.

More than 25 members, including coaches, committee members and players, have completed child protection training to ensure wellbeing of our youth as paramount importance.

Five club members trained in SAFETALK through CLEAR project. Two members trained as Mental Health First Aiders. One member trained in ASIST training.

A new club website has been launched and still work in progress with Health and Wellbeing links

The Club Facebook page promotes Mental Health campaigns and initiatives e.g Take 5 campaign.

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