Strategic Review and Action Plan Canadian County Board Foreword I am pleased to
report that we have been able to draft the strategic plan for our Association
in Canada. A lot of credit is due to the club members (from all over Canada)
who attended the “workshop” in Toronto this past November and work diligently
under the supervision of course director Dr. Eugene Young of the Ulster
Council. The large attendance and enthusiasm of the group was indicative to the total commitment from the members who represented all aspects of our games of football (Men’s and Ladies) Hurling and Camogie. It was a strong message from the delegates that the Health and future of our games and culture in Canada was of the utmost importance as evidenced by the content of the proposed document. This will give us all a sense of ownership, and opportunity to define exactly who we are, where we are and what we want to achieve in the next three years. Expanding our association embracing and welcoming every one of all denominations who want to get involved in our games: enjoy our culture is a big task which will take a great deal of hard work and self sacrifice. So I encourage everyone to approve this action plan and commit to see it successfully implemented. Brian Farmer (President Canadian Board) Teachtaireacht Ó Chomhairle Uladh C.L.G. A Chairde,
Tá sé mar phribhléid cúpla focail a scríobh mar reamhrá don phlean straitéiseach seo, tá nasc láidir idir Cúige Uladh agus Ceanada agus tá mé cinnte go mbeidh toradh dearfach as na nascanna seo ar son maitheas Cumann Lúthchleas Gael i gCeanada. Strategies do matter. They are roadmaps that provide direction. I warmly welcome this one and trust that it is used, revised, altered as necessary and always followed for the betterment of our members in Canada. There are strong historical links between Ulster and Canada and in recent years strong formal links between Ulster GAA and the Canadian GAA Board. Promotion of GAA worldwide is nothing new, early GAA players played hurling on the ice in Canada in 1850`s. However there are now increasing links between the association in Ireland and our units overseas. Ulster and Canada have forged a strong bond which is designed to strengthen the GAA for members, supporters and wider public in Canada. The twinning works both ways and we learn much about operating on such a vast continent in a multi cultural society and try to apply lessons learned in Canada at home in Ireland, so twinning works both ways. I want to sincerely thank all involved with GAA in Canada for their care for our young emigrants who arrive in Canada; our loss is your gain. It is gratifying for families and friends in Ireland to know how well the GAA in Canada cares for all young emigrants, mile buíochas. This action plan for Canada will help to strengthen structures, develop best practices in administrations and above all to enrich the experience of all those involved in playing Gaelic games. I thank our Ulster Overseas committee under Chairman Tom Daly, Ulster Secretary Danny Murphy also Eugene Young and all staff at Ulster Council for their work with Canada on this document. The plan is Canada’s; it is of Canada and for Canada. I congratulate the many GAA volunteers who spent endless hours in Canada producing this plan. Congratulations to your chairman Brian Farmer, Secretary John O'Flynn and all the officers of the Canadian board who worked so hard on this project. The GAA is a vibrant ever evolving association and thanks to Canada for their impressive contribution to our growth. I look forward to the implementation of this plan which will, I have no doubt, lead to stronger more self sufficient units in Canada. Tá mé cinnte go rachaidh Cumann Lúthchleas Gael ó neart go neart anseo sa Cheanada agus tá mé cinnte de fosta,go gcuideoidh an plean seo leis an bhforbairt sin. Beir bua, Aogán O Fearghail Uachtarán Chomhairle Uladh Mí na Nollag, 2011
Our thanks are extended to the volunteers who attended the review and contributed to the planning session and we hope that there are no omissions from the list below. It is hoped that your views and contribution is reflected in the following document.
Contents Page 2. Foreword: Brian Farmer 3. Foreword: Aogán O Fearghail 4. Contributors 5. Contents 6. Introduction 6. Context and History: John O’Flynn 7. Vision 7. Situational Analysis 9. Summary 9. Conclusion 10. Themes 11. Appendix 1: Volunteerism 14. Appendix 2: Respect 16. Appendix 3: Culture and Heritage 18. Appendix 4: Governance – Growth and Development 20. Appendix 5: Community and Inclusion 22. Appendix 6: Facilities
Introduction Ulster GAA has been working with the Canadian Board for a number of years. During that period some very good work has taken place both in Ottawa and Toronto but not in the Western Division or with the Minor Board. Work has been done with club coaches, teachers and CYC referees and more recently with representative of the clubs. However to date nothing has been planned short and long term and support has been reactionary at short notice. This has implications for resources and time from Ulster GAA and it places a heavy burden on the County Board to motivate and get a response from volunteers at short notice. This plan will highlight the key milestones and prior to these the actions that will have taken place to ensure the targets are met. Context and History In February 2004 Brian Farmer, CCB President, chaired a historic meeting along with Ulster Secretary Danny Murphy (Newry, Down) and Vice-Chairman Miceál Greenan (Drumconnick, Cavan). This meeting was in response to Canada being twinned with the Ulster GAA by Croke Park in 2003. Danny Murphy presented the Strategy for High Performance Gaelic Football in Ulster (2003-2007) and demonstrated CD’s and materials recently developed. Many ideas were shared for potential agreements in coaching, refereeing and youth development. One of the first actions taken by the Ulster GAA was to send over two senior referees to refresh the seasoned Toronto referees and train some new brave souls willing to tog out in black. An enlightening and very informative all-day session was conducted in May of 2004. In January 2005, another meeting was coordinated by the CCB to discuss ways of developing Gaelic games in Canada through networking with the GAA Head of Games Pat Daly (Tallow, Waterford) and the Chair of the Overseas Units, Gene Duffy (Crossmaglen, Armagh). Youth development funds were made available for local GAA communities to apply for through the CCB and the Divisional Boards. High Performance Director Dr. Eugene Young and Games Development Manager Terence McWilliams came to Canada twice in 2005 to deliver coach education sessions. By the end of their visits, the Toronto GAA had enough trained mentors to “coach” coaches and to help improve the over-all calibre of coaching that is expected by today’s athletes. In 2009, the County Board was pleased to have Danny Murphy along with Chairman Tom Daly in attendance for our Convention in the 125th Anniversary Year of our Association. In 2010, the County Board was pleased to have Danny Murphy along with Chairman Aogán O Fearghail in attendance for our convention in Ajax, Ontario. In November of 2011, High Performance Director Dr. Eugene Young conducted a Strategic Planning Meeting with 35 in attendance from clubs across the country. The County Board was pleased to have Chairman Aogán O Fearghail in attendance for our December convention in Ajax, Ontario. The relationship between Ulster and Canadian County Board has been a great benefit to our Association and is continuing to grow from strength to strength. John O'Flynn Rúnaí - Canadian County Board Vision The vision statements presented show that the GAA in Canada has a desire to become sustainable and to attract new members. There is a realisation that the clubs have operated in their silos and that this needs to change. To expand and grown they need to support and help one another, be inclusive and involve the whole family of games, and finally help create and form new clubs. “To develop a structure for all GAA sports, provide support to create a sustainable future and attract more people (Canadian, Irish and others) to the GAA” “To strengthen and develop the GAA bases across Canada to allow all communities to learn, enjoy and develop Gaelic Games” “To develop a level of professionalism in keeping with best practice of the Association in Ireland focusing on greater community awareness, marketing and communicating across the wider Irish community, through existing networks and new channels of communication” “To foster an inclusive and supportive environment where all people are encouraged and welcomed to be part of the GAA Community and where the Canadian GAA has long term goals and a structure to sustain development” “To be outstanding in the development of an inclusive community comprised of all Gaelic Sports at all level s” Situational Analysis An analysis of the current situation is positive and it shows a willingness and desire to move things to the next level. Things that are going well: · We have good governance structures · We have a youth development programme · There is good integration into the GAA by Camogie, Ladies Football and some Canadians. · There is an influx of young professional Irish people arriving in Canada · All codes are being played and recognised by Canadian County Board · We have good development going on in the Western Division · We have a vibrant Youth Board · There is reasonably good media coverage · The standard of games is very good Things that are going well some of the time that we need to make happen more often. · The GAA has community identity but we need to increase this. · We have retained some of the Canadian talent and we must make sure they get to play at senior level when the Irish players arrive. · We have GAA social events but these need to me for frequent and supported by all clubs. · The different codes and clubs need to unite even closer and take opportunities for joint initiatives. · All codes must be treated with equality and what is good for football needs to be replicated in the other codes. · Because of the small GAA community the clubs must outreach to other clubs and provide positive experiences for the youth and club members. · Communication between clubs and within clubs needs to be improved with the use of the social media, websites and internet. · Set Plans can be a way forward but they need to be driven and implemented and key committees need to take ownership in order to meet the targets. · Canada needs to commit to Ulster GAA and consolidate the plan to allow for forward planning and budgeting.
Things that are going badly that we need to change: · We operate in our club silos. · We show a lack of respect for other clubs and their members. · We have a win at all costs mentality at the cost of development. · Behaviour at club games from spectators that put parents and children off coming. · The wider support from the Irish Community and Canadians. · We only see the negative. · We do not retain players as they move through the club. · We do not support referees and committee members as well as we need to.
Things that we must do to move forward: · A Canadian Championships in all codes · Information sharing between clubs and the membership about best practice · Encourage and support the development of new clubs. · Integrate the western division into any future plans. · Think big picture for the future of the GAA in Canada. · Commit long term as a volunteer to helping achieve our goals. · Recruit new volunteers to the Boards · Initiate and deliver Police Vetting in the Clubs · Follow the plan and deliver on the targets · Continue to place the emphasis on the youth · Establish more Camogie and Hurling opportunities
Summary
The GAA in Canada has a great mix of experience administrators and young people from both Canada and Ireland who want to move things forward. This will have to embrace an approach that supports the whole of Canada and the five codes of our games. In particular the enthusiasm for supporting the cultural and language aspect of our Association is evident and with close working relationships with other Irish organisations this can move forward.
Key areas have been identified and dates for delivery highlighted. It cannot be achieved unless the respective Boards and Clubs do their bit. Leadership and commitment is what will deliver this plan in the three years. More people taking on a piece of the jigsaw reduces the burden on the few that have borne the brunt in recent years.
We would like to thank those that committed to the one day workshop in Toronto on the 5th November 2011 and hope that your thoughts and ideas are reflected in the attached draft document.
Conclusion This is a practical document to be applied. With agreed dates set and a budget for key things to happen or to be completed, we all look forward to seeing our plan roll out.
Action Plans Appendix 1 ”Volunteerism reflects a core value of the GAA and embraces the hours of work that players, coaches and administrators put into the GAA”
Appendix 2 RESPECT: “Given the severity of issues around respect for referees, players and spectators, this is identified as a key area of work to ensure that parents are happy to bring their children to the field and that players begin show more respect for other players and officials”
Appendix 3 CULTURE AND HERITAGE “The culture and heritage aspects of the GAA are shared throughout the world. Music, song, dance, language and storytelling are part of the Associations rich heritage.”
Appendix 4 GOVERNANCE – GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT “Accountability, administration and government legislation require all organisations to have robust governance that not only protects it members but provides the platform for future growth and development”
Appendix 5 COMMUNITY AND INCLUSION “ The GAA is at the centre of the community and wants toad value to all that it does and this included engaging with its ladies codes of Camogie and Ladies Football as well as people from non traditional GAA background”
Appendix 6 FACILITIES “To gave dedicated Gaelic Games Facilities in partnership or owned by GAA Clubs in Canada”
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