Parents get involved with the running of some No Name non-alcohol clubs
SOME TEENAGERS would be aghast at the idea of their mother being involved in organising their local social club, but not the Divilly sisters.
“They knew if I didn’t get involved, along with another parent, there would be no No Name club in Headford,” says Bernie, mother of Natasha (22), Teigan (19) and Katelyn (16). “So they never had a problem with it thanks be to God!”
Bernie was one of the founding members of the No Name Club in Headford, Co Galway, after a local garda mentioned the idea to her.
At the time she was involved in Foróige, but as her eldest daughter Natasha was then reaching the 15-18 age group that No Name caters for, she decided to give it a go.
There wasn’t anything in the area for that age group unless they were into sport, she says. “I thought it was a great idea to provide something for them, away from the influences of alcohol and other substances.
“They are at an in-between stage of their life; they are neither an adult nor a child. I think the No Name Club can give them that bit of direction, give them confidence and a sense of belonging.
“They do need activities away from study and school and home as well, an outlet where they can go and chill out themselves, sit down and have a chat.”
The Headford club is run by 38 members, but its public events, such as discos, attract 200 or more youngsters from the area.
They use a local hall in Caherlistrane just outside Headford and try to meet once a fortnight.
“We would like to meet up once a week but unfortunately it is just not possible at the moment because we don’t have enough adult volunteers. With the recession now, perhaps people won’t be as busy and we will be able to get more help,” says Bernie.
Events range from discos, sports tournaments and table quizzes, to concerts, barbecues and charity events – they recently raised funds to buy a defibrillator for the local school.
Now they are busy organising a disco with a beach party theme, which will be held in Headford town, featuring guest DJ Fergal D’Arcy of i102-104 radio.
Bernie sees a huge problem in the prevailing drink culture. “It is great when you have an area that can provide something. You are not going to get 100 per cent of the young people to participate but if you can target half of the young people, it is a good thing.”
The biggest obstacle to setting up new clubs is a lack of adult volunteers, explains Bernie. “You get the young people no problem. They want to start up yesterday when you go to an area.”
She was a bit reluctant herself initially but now she is passionate about the No Name Club and is willing to travel around the country to spread the word. “I think it is a great organisation for young people.”
Katelyn, having seen her two sisters take part in the club, could not wait until she would be old enough. “I always wanted to join it, so I was really happy when I got into Junior Cert year. It is brilliant.”
She agrees it is a relief to be away from any pressure to drink. “When a lot of people around you are drinking, it is hard to say ‘no’. It is nice to have somewhere to go .
“Some of my friends in school would be drinking, but it is easier to say no when people in the club are doing the same thing.” Now in her second year, she is a hostess with the club.
“We were a really small club last year, but this year we went into the school and gave talks – me and my friend Grace – and we got people to join.”
She is keen to clarify the misconceptions some of her peers have about the No Name Club.
“A lot of people think it is really strict and that you are not allowed to do this and you are not allowed to do that. I think when we went into school and told them what it was about, people tried to join because before that they thought we just go along to a club and sit around and do nothing.”
Even her peers who do drink go along to events to enjoy themselves. “If they come to a No Name event they know you are not allowed to drink,” adds Katelyn, “and they still have a good time.”
Mary Munroe says her role as public relations officer for the Ballinrobe No Name Club in Co Mayo is “payback time” for the years of involvement by her two daughters, Aimee (20) and Katie (18), who is still a hostess with the club.
She saw how her daughters grew in confidence from participating in the club.
“They organise things. If they were going somewhere, they might be the one to ring up for a bus and get a price, then go back to the adult committee with three different prices.”
Munroe also sees the value in running events for underage teenagers where they know drink is not going to be an issue. However, it is important to highlight the fact that it is not against drink, she comments – not that she thinks the organisation has an image problem.
“The growth of the number of clubs, particularly in the Galway-Mayo area, has made it very cool to be a member of the No Name Club.
“It is the cool thing to do now and be part of some of the activities and competitions,” she adds.
“There is something for everybody and it is a stage for them.”