Now in its eighth year, the programme continues to make a significant impact, with this year’s programme representing an investment of more than €120,000 in local schools across the country.
Supported by the Ladies Gaelic Football Association (LGFA) and delivered by Youth Sport Trust and their specially trained athlete mentors, all of whom are current or former inter-county ladies Gaelic football players, the programme is designed to educate teenage girls about the positive mental and physical health benefits of playing sport.
The programme, which is delivered through workshops and team-building sessions, aims to increase participation and reduce drop-out rates for teenagers in the sport. Twenty six schools across Ireland will have the opportunity to benefit from the programme along with receiving a brand-new set of jerseys for their school team.
Boasting an impressive array of achievements, this year’s programme is delivered by a stellar lineup of LGFA inter-county players: Anne Marie Doran (Kildare), Deirdre O’Reilly (Cork), Leah Caffrey (Dublin), Hannah Tyrrell (Dublin), Therese McNally (Monaghan), Cathy Carey (Antrim), Samantha Lambert (Tipperary), Muireann Devaney (Leitrim), Charlene Tyrrell (Leitrim), Joanne Doonan (Fermanagh), Susanne White (Donegal), Sophie Daly (Cavan), Meabh De Burca (Galway) and Laurie Ryan (Clare).
Speaking about the programme, the President of the LGFA, Trina Murray, commented: “We’re delighted to unveil the schools selected for Lidl’s #SeriousSupport Schools Programme 2025/26, alongside our incredible line-up of athlete mentors. These mentors, inter-county stars and community role models bring a wealth of experience and inspiration to the students they support.
“Year after year, their guidance proves invaluable, helping young people build essential life skills during a pivotal stage in their development. The feedback from past programmes has been overwhelmingly positive, with students gaining confidence, resilience, and practical tools they carry into everyday life.
“There truly is no better group to learn from than these accomplished athletes. A huge thank you to Lidl Ireland for championing this initiative, and to Youth Sport Trust for their continued partnership in making it all happen,” Ms Murray said.
Also commenting on the partnership, Youth Sport Trust Chief Executive, Ali Oliver MBE said: “Too many young people across the Republic of Ireland aren’t reaching the recommended levels of physical activity and research shows teenage girls face unique challenges that can limit their participation.
“This programme is helping to break down those barriers by empowering more girls to get active and experience the wide-ranging benefits of sport and play from improved wellbeing and resilience to the development of vital life skills.
At the heart of the programme are our incredible Athlete Mentors, who work directly with schools to share their personal journeys, spark inspiration, and highlight the broader value of sport in everyday life. Their stories help students build confidence, find motivation, and unlock their potential both on and off the pitch.”
The Lidl Ireland and Northern Ireland Brand Embassy Director, Tom Mughal, also echoed those sentiments and added that, in its eighth year, the programme continues to “make a meaningful impact at grassroots level in communities across Ireland”.
He continued: “The growing number of participating schools and students speaks volumes about the programme’s success and the feedback we’ve received has been nothing short of inspiring. It’s clear that this initiative is making a real difference in the lives of young people.
“Research continues to show the powerful benefits of sport for young girls, from improved physical and mental wellbeing to greater confidence and resilience. Through our team of exceptional athlete mentors and true sporting heroes, we’re helping to identify and break down the barriers that prevent participation, supporting students on their journey to healthier, more active lives,” Mr Mughal said.
Mr Mughal congratulated the selected schools and gave a “heartfelt thank you to Lidl’s loyal shoppers who took the time to nominate their local schools. Your support helps bring this programme to life”.