Wexford GAA Information Bulletin
Management Meetings held on 15 March and 6 April (online via MS Teams)
Strategic Plan
A Strategic Plan action spreadsheet is in place to deliver on tasks in each area with each officer to report on relevant actions at the May meeting.
Update on Plan:
• The launch of The Wexford Way Skill Development Player Pathway has been very well received and the coaching team are to be complimented on their work.
• We hope to hear about Centre of Excellence planning later this month. An approach was made to both Camogie and LGFA regarding co-location of facilities at the Centre of Excellence. LGFA is keen to work with us so heads of agreement are being developed to cover cooperation on coaching, development and the COE. The Camogie Association have indicated that they intend to pursue their own pitch / clubhouse development. The long-term objective of developing a total of 7 pitches in the COE remains on track and, assuming agreement with LGFA, allocation of a floodlit pitch for ladies’ football is anticipated. A strong brand name for the COE is sought while discussions regarding a title sponsor are also taking place.
• With regard to proposals for the installation of a full-size 4G GAA pitch in Wexford town in partnership with an educational provider, it was noted that there is some wider interest in making such a pitch multi-purpose in nature. Wexford GAA would be amenable to this, on the basis that other partner organizations would make similar match funding available to assist with the costs of the project.
St Patrick’s Park
There is an ongoing problem with vandalism at St. Patrick’s Park, Enniscorthy, which will necessitate the installation of CCTV. The dressing rooms were broken into, the windows were broken and the scoreboard hut was set on fire and badly damaged. An Garda Síochána is aware of these issues and is now visiting the pitch several times a day as part of its patrolling duties. There will be a significant cost to repair the damage
Model County Draw
The 3 Club and County Draws will take place this year in August and September and Wexford GAA TV will be filming some promotional pieces in clubs around the county to highlight the financial benefits of the Draw for clubs. It was noted that clubs have earned revenue of nearly €1.2M over the last 5 years of the Draw.
Croke Park update on Covid-19 restrictions / return to play
Clubs are reminded that the only activity currently allowed is the safe usage of walking tracks for exercise and that there would be disciplinary implications for any club found to be in breach of the current rules. The decision by Government to allow under 18s to return to GAA clubs for non-contact training in hubs of no more than 15 people from 26 April is very welcome. However, it is vital that clubs take their responsibilities very seriously in terms of managing this return safely. Coiste na nÓg will write to clubs next week to emphasise this and to remind of the importance of good hand hygiene, social distancing, management of drop-offs and collection, and of good record-keeping to facilitate contact tracing if needed.
County teams are not permitted to train until 19 April and the chairman emphasised that this will be strictly adhered to. Adherence to good health practice by clubs and by county teams will underpin a safe return to activity; any slippage, or outbreaks in an organised GAA setting, could put the playing of matches at risk.
Recognition Scheme
A “Lámh agus Croí” recognition proposal is being developed which will, in its first iteration, recognise on a new Wexford GAA training jersey all the healthcare workers across the county; Wexford General Hospital has engaged very well on the initiative and it is hoped that healthcare workers across the county will register to be featured on the jersey. Future versions could then recognise grassroots volunteers in clubs, and all those teachers who play a vital role in communicating our games to schoolchildren.
The “Fittest Schools” initiative will happen in May and funds raised will be target to help fund our coaching programmes.
Wellness Month
After the success of our previous Wellness Weeks, this initiative is now extended to spread across the month of May. It is planned to have 3 activities per week, one at the weekend and two midweek. The “96km Challenge” will be led by players from the 1996 team and will seek to get lots of people out exercising; it will have a fundraising element in direct support of charity and of the development of the sensory garden in the Centre of Excellence. Another walking initiative, “Walk with Wexford”, will take place at the end of the month and will encourage people to wear their county jerseys and get out walking.
Games / Fixtures update
Following a survey of clubs there seems to be a fairly even split between those wishing to see an Under 19 championship and those supporting an Under 20 competition. It was noted that the CCC preference is for Under 20. There is no clarity yet on when such a competition might take place.
It is intended to hold the county championship draws before the end of April.
