Introduction

Club Registration of Members

Please be aware that the closing date for registration of club members is March 31. Most clubs are in the process of completing their registrations and a number of counties have held training evenings. If any club requires help with on-line registration, please contact your county IT officer.

Extended Support is available for the remainder of the registration period:

• 09:00 - 22:00 Monday to Friday
• 09:00 - 17:00 Saturday
• 10:00 - 18:00 Sunday

Registrars can call +44(0) 2890 313 845 or +44(0) 7990 930 008 or email: gaasupport@servasport.com with any queries they may have.

GAA Go Games from St. Patrick's Day

Although Clarinbridge and Crossmaglen Rangers took honours on St. Patrick’s Day in the AIB GAA Club Championship finals, a special mention must go to the 88 boys and girls who participated in the GAA Go Games Exhibition Games at half time in both finals.

A crowd of over 25,000 witnessed some fine skills of Football and Hurling from local Club U12 players who were full of excitement and enthusiasm as they walked proudly onto the Croke Park pitch at half time in both games.

A special word of thanks must go to the mentors and parents from all four Clubs who made it possible for the young children to participate on the same ground as some of their brothers, cousins and especially role models. Our young GAA Go Games Referees were supplied by Dublin Cumann na mBunscol and refereed the games according to all GAA Go Games rules and regulations. Well done to all!

Local Radio Partnerships

Agreement has been reached with 18 Independent Broadcasters of Ireland (IBI) local commercial radio stations to extend the existing agreement to the end of the 2014 Leagues. The radio stations will have live rights to broadcast GAA games featuring teams from within their franchise area and will become local media partners of the Vhi GAA Cúl Camps.

Motions for 2011 Congress

An Chomhdháil Bhliantúil 2011 takes place this year in Mullingar, Westmeath from April 15-16. A full list of the proposed motions at the GAA Annual Congress 2011 can be found at www.gaa.ie or by clicking here.

A copy of the 2010 Annual Report which includes the Association's financial records for 2010 and Ard Stiúrthóir Páraic Ó Dufaigh's report can also be downloaded by clicking here. 

Injury Scheme Registration and Subscription 2011

The registration deadline for the Player Injury Scheme 2011 is March 31. Please note that Clubs who have not completed registration by this date will not be permitted to enter competition.

Please ensure that any amalgamated teams have been registered by one of the Clubs involved. Registration should be completed via the GAA online people management system available at http://people.gaa.ie. Payment should be forwarded direct to Sinéad Quinn, GAA Insurance and Risk Manager, Croke Park, Dublin 3.

Units who experience any difficulty in accessing the system should contact Servasport directly at:

Tel: 0044-2890313845
Wesbite: www.servasport.com
Email: support@servasport.com

Property Insurance

The extreme weather before Christmas has lead to a massive increase in losses on the Association’s property policy. This has been potentially increased as a number of units have been slow in checking properties after adverse weather and notifying insurers of the loss / damage.

• Properties which will be left unoccupied / not used for a period must be regularly checked and in particular after a period of adverse weather.
• Damage must be reported to insurers as soon as possible.
• Full details of the loss / damage and estimates for the repairs submitted within 30 days.

Claims should be reported as follows:
Contact: Elaine Farrelly, 01-6396452, elaine.farrelly@willis.ie

Visit the GAA Museum

A visit to Croke Park is the perfect place to take your younger members for a weekend Club outing. They will experience the magic of a match day and follow in the footsteps of GAA legends on the Croke Park Stadium tour.

A typical visit to Croke Park takes two hours and includes an exciting behind-the-scenes guided tour of the stadium, a short film, a chance to explore the GAA Museum's exhibits and a visit to the Museum’s interactive games area where visitors can test their Hurling and Gaelic Football skills.

On the stadium tour you will visit the dressing rooms, walk pitch side via the players’ tunnel, take a seat in the VIP area and also enjoy a birds’ eye view of Croke Park from the top tier.

Don’t forget a recession busting 25% off special rate for all GAA Club groups (minimum of 20) who visit before April 30, 2011. For further information on pricing and visiting the GAA Museum please visit www.crokepark.ie/gaa-museum. To make a booking, call 01-8192374 or email tours@crokepark.ie.

Give Respect Get Respect

Image Caption: Members of the St Jude's Club in Dublin wearing their new Respect jerseys which the Club provided as part of their own Club Respect programme.

Following a review of the GAA Respect Initiative a special advisory group has been appointed to oversee the implementation of the initiative in 2011. The Respect Initiative is aimed at players of all ages, at coaches, spectators and at Clubs with the aim of promoting positive behaviour and to ensure that an enriching environment is provided for the promotion and development of our Gaelic Games.

By our behaviour we are often judged and the Advisory Group will shortly distribute a new set of Respect posters, a new publicity booklet and a special promotional tool kit that will include marketing, publicity and printable materials for Clubs and County Boards.

While the initiative seeks to be integrated into all aspects of our Games, regardless of age or competition, specific targeting will take place to promote Respect for the U12s to U14s age groups this year and at Féile na nÓg at County and National level.

With the continued promotion of the GAA Respect Initiative at all levels, Clubs are asked to discuss how they may promote the initiative as a good behaviour promotion and to avail of the toolkit that will be launched at the GAA Annual Congress 2011 in Mullingar.

Tips on Sponsorship for Clubs

Looking for sponsorship investment has become a lot tougher in the last three years. However the good news is that in these recessionary times brands and businesses are looking to talk up a few core values, Irish / community focused / family oriented.

This represents an opportunity for the GAA because no sports body is better placed to help a brand accentuate these values.

Tips to consider regarding Sponsorship

• Utilise the network of contacts within your Club / community to generate a list of potential sponsors.
• Capitalise on sporting achievements – there is no better time to secure a deal.
• Emphasise the strengths of the GAA and the positive impact this will have on the sponsor – family and community oriented / uniquely Irish / heritage / pride of place / passion.
• What is the ‘package’ on offer to sponsors? Sponsors expect a comprehensive list of benefits that will be delivered in return for their investment … How many signs? How many tickets? How many GAA members in your County / Club? What is your history of success on the field? If it is not quantifiable then how can a potential sponsor assess value for money?
• Appoint one person to manage the relationship with the sponsor on behalf of the Club. This is more important now than ever before. It is the little things that matter here – a few (good) tickets, regular meetings, a welcome on match day, invite to annual dinner dance etc. Our sponsors are usually GAA members themselves and genuinely appreciate the opportunity to build relationships with the GAA.
• Set a fee that is reflective of the sponsorship package on offer not the costs associated with running the team / event / Club etc.
• Get something in writing to protect this income stream for the duration of the relationship.

The GAA’s national sponsors appreciate that our Clubs are our greatest asset. In 2011 the Association will work with these sponsors to develop promotions / competitions targeted at GAA Clubs nationwide, with valuable prizes for the winning Clubs. Look out for details in forthcoming GAA newsletters.

Club Profile - Gormaithe Baile Nua, An Lú

Newtown Blues G.F.C. was founded in 1887. The club, which is based east of Drogheda town, now finds itself in the heart of urban development. Attracting its core base from this area, the Club enjoys a strong reputation and standing within the community which goes beyond the confines of Drogheda, Newtown and the Newfoundwell Road where it has its Club house and playing fields.

In early 2009 the Blues embarked on a major re-development project to cater for the growing demand on their playing pitches and facilities. Since then Phase One of the project has been completed. This included acquiring land adjacent to their playing area, removal of overhead power lines and installing new power lines under the development site. This allowed them to rotate their main pitch 90 degrees and install a second playing pitch parallel. Both of these pitches are now sand based.

Phase Two will commence shortly which will see floodlights erected on the main pitch and re-surfacing of the car park at the Newfoundwell Road location. This Phase is to be completed by March of 2012.

Upon completion these facilities will add to the already impressive four dressing rooms, referee’s room, meeting room and gym already in place in the east Drogheda location.
Funding for this major re-development was sourced from various grants and tireless fundraising, which included a concert held in a local theatre and an annual cycle from their clubhouse to Roscommon. Fundraising continues and on April 30, the Club will hold another cycle from their clubhouse to Athlone, which various club members will take part in.

The Newtown Blues are looking to attain excellent standards for their future generations and this begins on Saturday April 9 when they will hold a coaching day for children aged between the ages of 4 and 14, an ideal opportunity to introduce them and their parents to the fantastic development they have undertaken.