Meath GAA chiefs launch ambitious strategic plan

It took many hours to complete and is aimed at improving Gaelic games in the Royal County for the next five years at least. The Meath GAA Strategic Review 2012 was launched in the Newgrange Hotel last week and among those who attended the event was Leinster Council chairman Martin Skelly. He was joined by a host of well-known faces involved in the administration of Gaelic games in Meath including a contingent of club officials. However, not every club was represented and a number of them were conspicious by their absence. Another absentee was GAA president Christy Cooney who was in Australia attending the funeral of Jim Stynes. The origins of the Meath Review goes back to when 'The GAA Strategic Vision and Action Plan 2010-2015' was distributed by the powers-that-be in Croke Park in January 2009. At that time every county was requested to examine its structures with the aim of making the GAA a more efficient, streamlined organisation. An organisation that would prove attractive to the youth of the country and where people from all sectors of society would feel welcome. In Meath a club forum was held at the Knightsbrook Hotel, Trim in 2009. A steering committee was set up consisting of Co Committee officials Cyril Creavin, Brendan Cummins, Anne McDonnell and Mairéad Delaney. They set about the considerable task of drawing up a strategy to improve the game in Meath. The result is an attractive, well-designed booklet, 'Strategic Review 2012' which outlines how improvements can be made in the GAA in the Royal County from enhancing the facilites to raising funds. A wide range of issues are explored in a series of sections including 'The Future,' 'Games Development,' 'Fixture Scheduling' 'Volunteer and Officer Support' 'Urbanisation, Rural De-Population and Club Structure,' 'Planning and Infrastructure' as well as 'Communications.' And while there is plenty of targets and objectives outlined there is also a commitment to carry out a series of assessements and reviews to evaluate progress. The aims are lofty, the targets ambitious but those involved in the project insist they are achievable. In the introduction to the Strategic Review it was emphasised just how imporant a role the GAA have played in Meath - from the earliest days of the GAA people in Meath played their part in helping the then fledgling organisation get up and running. Three years after the Gaelic Athletic Associaton was formed in Thurles the first Meath county convention was held in 1887 with with 15 clubs represented. It's also highlighted how Meath have won seven All-Ireland and NFL titles with 26 players from the county taking home 49 All-Star awards. Other notable achievements are pointed out such as the fact that Meath have won five All-Ireland JHC titles between 1927 and 1999 and that there are parts of the Royal County where hurling is considered the "best loved and most played game." There is a reference to how Gaelic games has its own intrinsic set of values which in turn is the heart and soul of the Association. It is "what makes us unique." Among the main objectives of the Strategic Review is to "increase the numbers playing our games and provide our players with the best possible playing experience." The importance of Go Games was underlined in catering for youngsters as were other initiatives such as the development of a strong link between the local club and the school, the appointment of a coaching officer for each club in the county and provision of "quality coaching for leading club players in all age groups from u-14 to u-17 through the development squads." On the contentious fixtures front the aim is to "provide players with a programme of games with an increased emphasis on regularity and quantity." The important role played by volunteers is recognised in the Review with an acceptance that "volunteers are the heart and soul of the GAA." Part of the Review is to set up a specialised committee to develop and put in place an Urban Development Plan aimed at examining the structures of the GAA in the urban areas with special emphasis on the number of clubs and the size of the population. The importance of the GAA staying in touch with "all communities" is also emphasised. To achieve that aim the Review proposes to appoint an "Inclusion Officer" whose role will be to encourage greater participation in our games amongst the new Irish" as well as those with a disability. On the planning and infrastrucure front all clubs are to be encouraged to complete their own five-year plans outlining how they intend to upgrade their facilities. As part of this initiative it is proposed that "a club forum" should be held each year where all aspects of Gaelic games development in Meath will be discussed with the clubs. Inevitably there is a focus on finance and funding. Part of that strategy includes a promotion to boost attendances at club games through advertising in the local media as well as other attractions such as the arranging of mini-games during half-time intervals. The importance of setting up and maintaining a good communications network makes up part of the Strategic Review. The aspiration is to "communicate continuously and consistently with our members, clubs, officials and the public."