'Game-changing' online education modules launched for Mayo clubs

Free e-learning modules are now available to the Gaelic games community in Mayo addressing consent, bystander intervention, intimate image abuse and the harmful impacts of pornography, among other issues.

The e-learning modules are the new phase of the Game Changer programme, a partnership between Ruhama, White Ribbon Ireland and the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA), with the support of the Ladies Gaelic Football Association (LGFA) and Camogie Association. The Game Changer programme harnesses the positive influence of Gaelic games in Irish society to challenge behaviours and social norms that contribute to domestic, sexual and gender-based violence.

Four new e-learning modules are free to access for players aged 14 and over as well as coaches, club officials and community organisers in Mayo. They are designed to empower participants to be allies and role models who foster a culture of respect on and off the pitch.

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Game Changer E-Learning Modules

The four e-learning modules are specially designed to be age appropriate:

• Module 1 for 14–15-year-olds is titled ‘Respect Starts Here: Building Positive Relationships’.
• Module 2 for 16–17-year-olds is titled ‘Breaking Barriers: Standing Against Gender-Based Violence’.
• Module 3 for players aged 18 and over is titled ‘Our Club, Our Community: Addressing Gender-Based Violence in Society’.
• Module 4 for coaches, club officials and community organisers aged 18 and over is titled ‘Leadership in Action: Promoting a Culture of Respect’.

Announcing the launch of the Game Changer e-learning modules, President of the GAA Jarlath Burns said: “I was proud to launch the Game Changer initiative almost a year ago and I am pleased that the roll out of the programme is now underway.

“The need for this project remains as strong as ever and the four different modules are specially designed to meet the needs of the different age groups within the GAA family.

“I laud all of our partners for the respective contributions to date and encourage our clubs and their players to use this opportunity to assist us to make a positive difference across our organisation and by extension throughout society.”

If you want to bring the Game Changer e-learning modules to your club in Mayo, they can be accessed at https://learning.gaa.ie/gamechanger. Participants will need to register with the GAA’s learning platform Tobar to access the modules. 

For underage users, a consent form will be made available for parents to provide permission to access the site. This is handled strictly in accordance with GAA’s GDPR policies. Participants are issued with Game Changer digital badges upon completion of the modules.

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