Limerick GAA Stars Join Uganda’s ‘Plant the Planet’ Initiative

Four prominent players from Limerick’s Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) are currently in Uganda participating in the week-long ‘Plant the Planet’ campaign. This initiative involves a group of 30 inter-county Gaelic footballers, hurlers, and camogie stars committed to environmental and social causes.

Among the participants are five-time All-Ireland winner David Reidy, along with footballers Lauren Ryan and Caoimhe Costelloe, as well as camogie player Dearbhla Egan. Each athlete aims to raise €10,000, contributing to a larger goal of combating poverty and climate change in Africa. This marks the fourth annual visit by the GAA to the continent, organized by the development charity Self Help Africa, in collaboration with the Gaelic Players Association and Alan Kerins’ Warriors for Humanity.

Impact of the Campaign

Since its inception, the ‘Plant the Planet’ campaign has made significant strides, raising over €1.7 million and planting more than four million trees across Africa. This initiative not only addresses environmental issues but also aims to improve the livelihoods of local communities. Speaking from Uganda, Alan Kerins emphasized the importance of the project: “It’s an amazing legacy for the players to leave behind. Thousands of families will live off these trees long after this trip is over and we’re all gone.”

Kerins described a poignant moment spent planting trees along the banks of the Nile, highlighting the exchange of knowledge and culture that occurs during such initiatives. He stated, “We use sport and music as a vehicle to break down barriers and connect people from different cultures and different tribes. And it’s amazing what happens when you do that.”

The group also attended the official inauguration of Uganda’s first one-wall handball alley in Jinja. This facility is part of a broader project to establish a community sports and cultural hub spearheaded by the Simba Wolfhounds, Africa’s only officially registered GAA club. Founded by Galway native John Walsh, the club provides access to Gaelic football, hurling, camogie, and now handball for over 1,000 children in Jinja.

Community and Climate Change Initiatives

Walsh noted that the handball alley represents the first phase of a multi-use sports centre, which will also serve as an outdoor cinema and community gathering space. This vision aims to enrich the local community while promoting sport and culture.

Martha Hourican, interim CEO of Self Help Africa, praised the ‘Plant the Planet’ trips as instrumental in fostering meaningful contributions to climate change mitigation efforts. “This is an inspirational campaign,” Hourican remarked. “Daily, we see that communities who are least responsible for the harmful effects of changing climate, including droughts, floods, and new crop diseases, are experiencing some of its worst effects.”

She further emphasized the importance of large-scale tree planting efforts, stating that they are crucial for removing harmful greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. The introduction of resilient crop varieties and ‘climate-smart’ farming practices is essential for tackling the challenges posed by climate change in the years to come.

Through their efforts in Uganda, the Limerick GAA players are not only making a tangible impact on the environment but also fostering connections and understanding between cultures, showcasing the profound effects of sport beyond the field.