Comfort Keepers named as GAA and GPA official community impact partner

Comfort Keepers has been announced as official community impact partner of the Gaelic Athletic Association and Gaelic Players Association in a three-year partnership aimed at strengthening social connection across Ireland, according to Sport for Business.

The agreement brings together three organisations focused on the role of sport, community and care in supporting wellbeing and maintaining strong local networks.

Inter-county players and ambassadors will take part in visits to homes and community settings across the country, including PwC GAA/GPA Hurler of the Year John McGrath, Dublin All Ireland winner Carla Rowe and former Kerry footballer Pat Spillane.

Collette Gleeson, chief executive at Comfort Keepers Homecare Ireland, said home and community provide a sense of safety, identity and purpose. "By partnering with the GAA and GPA, we want to align community care with community sport because participation and belonging are fundamental to physical and mental health," she stated.

Tom Parsons, chief executive at the Gaelic Players Association, said caring is one of the organisation's core values. "Inter-county players care deeply about the people and communities they come from. This partnership goes beyond a traditional sponsorship. It recognises that connection, whether through sport, family, local community or the helping hand of a carer, is central to wellbeing," he noted.

Peter McKenna, commercial director at the GAA, said the partnership reflects the role Gaelic games play in Irish society. Community is the foundation of Gaelic games, with clubs across Ireland serving as places of identity, belonging and shared experience.

Read complete partnership and research findings in the full report.