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Underage Review
Date: 16 Nov 2009 / Category: Youth Football / Views: 265
From: Patrick Og Nugent [mailto:secretary.armagh@gaa.ie]
Sent: 16 November 2009 14:19
To: clubsecretaries.armagh@gaa.ie
Cc: Jarlath Burns; Joe Jordan; John Moley; Kevin Brady; Paul Kelly; Peadar Murray; Seamus King; Dessie McDonnell; Fiona McNally; Gerry Boyle; Kevin Woods; Malachy Heaney; Martin Kelly; Michael McGivern; Michael Savage; Fagan, Niall; Paul Duggan; Paul McArdle; Philip McGovern; Seamus McDonagh; Seamus Strain; Sean Reavey
Subject: Underage Review
A chairde
The review of underage structures and practices has generated valuable discussion throughout the county. This has to be welcomed. The working group acknowledge the numerous good practices that have been consistent in this county over many years, work carried out on a daily basis by many volunteers. It is a prerequisite to formally pay tribute to those who continue to give of their time in our clubs, development squads and county structures. We would like to thank the many contributions from those who attended the information sessions in Armagh and in the three divisional venues. As stated these contributions were valid, valuable and earnest. At no time was there any attempt to impose our proposals. The proposals are the result of inclusive, meaningful dialogue; the culmination of long hours of discussion by a group of individuals of immense integrity whose sole remit was the advancement of club and county. Resulting from the process we would like to reinforce the following points and we would like you to give them due consideration:
Initially the proposed Minor Football Board would consist of thirteen members, chairperson plus the chair, secretary, treasurer and registrar from the existing divisional boards. One secretary will be responsible for correspondence etc whilst there will be two fixtures secretaries as well, one for each region, north and south. It is envisaged that there will be proper delegation and division of responsibilities to address the issue of workload. Regional meetings in each of the two proposed regions will be held once a month for club delegates attended by the officers of the proposed board. The proposed board will meet as required.
Search for a sponsor could alleviate fees levied to clubs.
Proposed Bye-laws will be drawn-up by the Officers of the Minor Football Board and sent to all clubs at the start of January 2010 and they will be afforded 14 days in which to propose amendments / deletions / replacements as well as submit motions of their own.
The final Clár, including all motions, will be sent to each club 14 days prior to the inaugural meeting of the new Board (Officers plus two delegates from each club) will take place. At this meeting the Final Clár of proposed Bye-laws will be debated and voted up with a Simple Majority vote to decide the motions.
This meeting will take place in late January/early February 2010.
Clubs will requested to submit their applications to participate in the various Leagues and Championships and at the various levels in each age group immediately following the meeting in late January / early February and will be must be returned within 14 days. The Officers of the Board will consider all applications and will submit their recommendations to a meeting for ratification or otherwise by the clubs in each region mid/late February 2010. The decision of the Board at this meeting shall be Final. There shall be no right of Appeal.
Larger clubs have the option of requesting placement in more than one grade to cater for numbers and to increase participation.
Leagues will be regionalised but graded. There will be a definitive start and finish date to these leagues.
A calendar of all underage activity including school and hurling activity will be drawn up in consultation with the appropriate bodies.
Championships will also be graded with proposals for three grades for U-18, U-16 and U-14. These will be open draw and all county. A club may be in different grades for each competition. Henceforth it could be possible for a smaller club to win an all-county championship title, hitherto almost impossible.
B Football will be the responsibility of the CCC
There will be a workshop on coaching, club development and structures pre the commencement of the leagues organised and facilitated by our full time personnel. It is hoped to make this an annual or biannual event depending on demand.
At all times the full time coaching and games personnel will have a consultative / advisory role.
The advantages of such a system are many:
Single, County-wide management and control of all underage football
Consistent approach
Fresh approach to league and championship structure removing familiarity
Helps develop Armagh GAA unity and the “Armagh brand”
Regions within regions ensure travel etc is manageable
Competitions graded, championship and leagues
Calendar approach will see more games for all teams at proper time of year
Less-than-fifteen-a-side games will be accommodated
All Primary School children get to play the games
The whole focus at Primary level is on skills development and enjoyment
Club/Primary school clashes re games are avoided
A year-round programme of GAA activity for the children who will (or who may not!) keep Armagh GAA alive and prospering is rolled out
Proper Club/school links develop
“Respect” is built in as a key part of GAA activity
All schools are formally contacted by Armagh GAA
Each Secondary school has a designated GAA person
Each Club has a designated Secondary schools person
The position re GAA (staff; facilities; resources) in the schools is audited
Both the participation of the many and talent identification of the few are progressed in parallel
Armagh GAA invests in its schools … the current home of the vast majority of the next twenty years’ Club and County players
Proper “division of labour” within the clubs
Workloads shared out
People facilitated to work in areas they’re interested in
Volunteer burnout avoided
New people brought on board
People’s expertise used to best effect
Duplication avoided
An Armagh-wide approach to coaching
GAA made attractive to all young people, not just the “strongest and the best”
Clubs and teams competing with each other on a like-for-like basis
Games played when young people want to play them … at the best times of year
Clashes of fixtures/competitions avoided
Proven “conveyor belt” of talent continues to operate
Maximise the number of players attending development squads
Players improve their skills and their discipline and life-styles
Clubs benefit
Club/County balance is maintained
We would sincerely ask that due recognition is given to the efforts of those whose dedication culminated in many stimulative proposals.
Le meas
Padraig Og Nuinseann / Patrick Nugent
Secretary
Armagh County GAA Board
Athletic Grounds
Dalton Road
Armagh
Fón: 028 3752 7278
Fax: 028 3752 6502
**This is my new email address. Could anyone who sends me mail now send it to secretary.armagh@gaa.ie**