Chairperson’s Address – Ferrybank AGM -
25.01.2018
Good evening to
all Club members and thank you for the interest you have shown in YOUR club by
attending our AGM.
First, I will
start with the positives; the majority of our achievements were driven by the 5
year plan, which commenced in 2013. The
plan will finish this year and I have a great belief that we will reach our
target goal of 80%.
This plan has
been very positive for the club and I would suggest that we revisit it at the
end of the year and discuss the proposal for the next 5 year plan.
One of the biggest challenges we
face is the rejuvenation of the club with the introduction of new blood. We
have to hold on to the best of the past, striving for the present and plan for
the future.
We need a unity and commitment from
everyone to progress Ferrybank GAA Club. We need people working for the club,
rather talking about it. Club spirit is everything at the core of our club and
when it comes to work, I’m calling on all members to give of themselves for the
greater good of the club.
It is important that we
treat every member of the club with equal respect, and respect the fact that
they are giving of their time and effort.
The development
of the dressing rooms has begun with the erection of an auxiliary building to
house the tractor, coaching equipment, club gear, washing machine, kitchen
equipment etc.
We have had a
number of successful fundraising events throughout the year.
Our annual
greyhound benefit night was held in November and it continues to be a great
night socially and financially; we reached our target of 10k.
The Déise Draw
continues to be one of our biggest fundraisers for the club.
The Angela Burns
Memorial 10k continues to grow each year; Declan Howard and his committee have
done fantastic work growing and developing this event.
The clothes
Collection which is run by Conor McGarrity and the Juvenile committee continues
to bring in much needed revenue.
The flag weekend
needs resurgence. It has the possibility to be a great revenue source for our
club but we need people to commit to helping out.
In previous
years, it has been the teenagers and older members of the cub who have helped,
we are missing a valuable revenue stream and it would be a pity to leave it go
after all these years.
On the Coaching
side, great work has been done. At Juvenile level, we are always on the lookout
for coaches as we need to ensure we have a constant panel of coaches in order
to ensure our teams have the best advantages going into competition. Extra help
is always needed.
An area for
growth potential is our Camogie Club. It needs structures put in place to
sustain and grow into the future. There is a great response from the girls in
the parish and we see that reflected in the attendances every Saturday morning,
but again we need help from Parents to ensure we can keep this club growing and
progressing.
It has been my
privilege to be Chairperson of the club for the past 6 years. I could not have done
it without the help and advice of a large number of Ferrybank Club members.
The Adult
committee and all the sub-committees in the Club have worked very hard
throughout the year, progressing our club. I would like to say a big thank you
to all the club members who give their time, energy and passion to Ferrybank
GAA Club. A club is nothing without its members.
A special
mention goes to Secretary Pat O’ Meara and Treasurer Declan O’ Meara; Pat and
Declan have taken on these thankless roles with dedication and good humour.
The Juvenile
Chairman John Heffernan and his hard working Secretary Nicola Hoban also
deserve a mention for keeping the underage structures in place.
Also, thank you
to all the coaches, selectors and players for their commitment and dedication
in 2017 and I wish each Team success for 2018.
Once again, I
would ask each member of Ferrybank Club to give as much of their time as
possible to the Club; and also to encourage family, neighbours and friends to
get involved.
There is a role
for everybody and it doesn’t have to be time consuming.
People are our
greatest asset and in order for Ferrybank GAA Club to grow and survive into the
future we need to harness the potential of club members and parents of club
members.
Thanks for your
attention and good luck and good health to you all in 2018.
Nioclás Ó
hIfearnáin
Chairperson,
Ferrybank GAA
Club
