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Cumann na mBunscol

Throughout the school year 2007/08 all sub-regions in the County have continued to be pro-active in providing participation opportunities in gaelic games for primary pupils. Club support is vital in this undertaking and is particularly forthcoming in North and South-West. This process is readily facilitated by the parish based nature of clubs in these areas. Direct support to schools is more patchy in Belfast, however, and many clubs would need to give this issue urgent consideration. Financial constraints and increasing administrative workloads are slowly undermining teachers' ability to participate meaningfully in coaching and competitions outside schools. This has serious implications for pupil involvement in leagues and tournaments in all codes. Many Principals are often unable to release teachers for traditional after school activities due to meetings and staff-development programmes. We have witnessed a drop in standards over recent years particularly in hurling and camogie. In the annual City Games against Dublin schools we can more than hold our own in football but are steadily falling behind in hurling and camogie. Some individual pupils continue to excel in the latter but overall standards in these codes is in decline.

Cumann na mBunscol Aontroim and its affiliated schools are not looking for money but for personnel to assist in the running of leagues and tournaments, for supervising pupils at activities in support of teachers and for school based coaching activities. Contact your local school or Cumann na mBunscol officers for information on how you can assist schools in Belfast, particularly in hurling and camogie. Of course all schools across the County are welcoming of club support at all times. Ar aghaidh libh!!!

Currently Cumann na mBunscol are endeavouring to focus on issues pertinent to the implementation of the association's own Strategic Plan. To this end a seminar has been arranged for Croke Park on Saturday 10^th January 2009.

Through liaison with Cumann na mBunscol Náisiúnta. progress has been made on many issues. The rolling out of our strategic vision will involve the cooperation of all units within the County. A review of all GAA structures has also been conducted as part of the process in publishing a national GAA Strategic Plan in November 2008. The following are some issues which all affiliated schools' personnel need to be aware of:

1. Budget Submission: The funding of all GAA units has now changed. Hence, Cumann na mBunscol Náisiúnta were required to submit an application for funding for 2009. Counties were asked to respond to an audit for the purpose of this application. This process is ongoing.
2. GAA Games Review: The GAA national review has emphasised the importance of participation taking precedence over competition in the playing of underage Gaelic games. With this in mind Cumann na mBunscol have asked a sub-committee chaired by Richard Bowles to review current structures with a view to making recommendations which fulfil the GAA criteria.
3. GAA Games Development Coaching Conference: This conference will take place on Friday 28^th and Saturday 29^th November with the theme being "A Games Based Approach to Training and Development”.

 

The January seminar will attempt to address issues 1 and 2 above. It is important that the Chairperson, Secretary, PRO and Treasurer from each Coiste is present at this seminar.