BUA participants during a workshop.

LGFA announces Mayo participant in third BUA Leadership and Life-skills programme

The Ladies Gaelic Football Association’s third BUA Leadership and Life-skills programme begins this week, with 30 young females selected to take part – including Katie Fulham of Swinford Killasser LGFA, Mayo.

In total, 21 counties in Ireland are represented across the four provinces, while there are two participants from Scotland.

BUA - Believe Unlock Potential Achieve is a self-development initiative aimed at developing the leadership skills of young people within the Ladies Gaelic Football Association which, in turn, will benefit their local communities.

Aimed at females in the 16 to 19 age group, BUA will be conducted through expert-led workshops and self-reflection before participants put their enhanced leadership skills into practice through a club action project.

Selected participants will receive support as they cover topics essential for young people, including resilience, dealing with change, building trust and respect, conflict resolution, problem solving, and project planning and delegation.

In addition, LGFA-specific topics such as introduction to coaching, officiating and administration will be covered.

Commenting on the launch of this year's programme, LGFA president Mícheál Naughton said: “We’re delighted to launch our third BUA programme and I’ve been struck by the high calibre of candidates that have participated in our previous two programmes. It’s clear to see that the future of our association is in safe hands and it’s been wonderful to see our participants flourish and grow throughout the BUA programme.

“The leadership and life-skills that they learn and hone can serve them into their immediate and long-term futures, and I’m really looking forward to engaging with our next group of participants, each of whom has their own individual story and with so much to offer.

“I look forward to meeting our BUA participants in the near future and we can expect to see them playing prominent roles within our association for many years to come.”

Dublin Ladies football legend Lyndsey Davey will once again act as an ambassador for the BUA programme. The five-time TG4 All-Ireland senior medallist said: “I’m delighted once again to be associated with the BUA programme. I’ve seen at first hand how this programme can impact so positively on participants, and I’ve remarked that it would have been great to have a programme like this when I was a teenager.

“I can’t wait to see how our newly-announced participants fare in the programme. They’re sure to gain and develop are invaluable life-skills that will help them on the field of play in their sporting lives but also off the field of play as they progress into adult life.

“I wish each of the participants the very best of luck on their BUA journeys and I can’t wait to meet them and find out more about them.”