Tullow man spearheads GAA revolution in UK schools
Keith Jackman, community development administrator, Herefordshire GAA, with members of his John West Féile side: Harrison Jackman, Connor Ferguson, Eoghan Ryan, Anthony Cawley and Freddie Connolly Photo: Liam Ryan
A SURGE in interest from children of non-Irish backgrounds is driving unprecedented growth in Gaelic games in British schools, according to a GAA member working in Hertfordshire. Keith Jackman, the GAA’s community development administrator for Hertfordshire and cousin of former Ireland rugby international and pundit Bernard Jackman, estimates that 60% of the more than 3,000 children he has engaged with across 31 schools this year come from non-Irish backgrounds.
The 46-year-old from Tullow, who now lives in Luton, has been instrumental in introducing Gaelic football and hurling to the physical education curriculum in schools north of London.
“Years ago, you knew you were pushing an open door bringing GAA to a Catholic school in Luton,” Mr Jackman explained. “So, I looked at non-Catholic schools in the hope that teachers were looking for other sports.”
His strategy appears to be paying off. Youth participation in Gaelic games across Britain has increased by 28% over the past four years, while London alone has recorded a 20% rise, reaching 1,975 young participants in 2024.
Keith attributes the appeal to the inclusive nature of Gaelic football, particularly at primary school level, where games feature ten-a-side teams with six boys and four girls.
“The majority of children are not picked for traditional sports teams,” he said. “So when you introduce Gaelic football, which is a large round ball game with an easy-to-understand scoring system, it provokes great interest.”
The GAA administrator begins his school outreach with handwritten letters and offers six-week programmes to help children master the basics. His approach has proven so successful that he is now booked until September with a waiting list of schools seeking his services.
Later this month, Keith will coach Hertfordshire’s boys unde-15 Gaelic football team at the John West Féile Peile na nÓg national finals in Co Derry. The competition has grown to become one of Europe’s largest underage sporting events, featuring 9,000 players across all grades.
Looking ahead, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire GAA plan to combine next year to run the GAA’s inclusivity programme ‘GAA For All’ at Watford FC training dome. Teams are also using the 63-acre Hazelwood centre at Sunbury-on-Thames, shared with London Irish Rugby teams and Brentford FC Community Sports Trust.
