Provincial Council for Britain

in Association with Ulster GAA

WELCOME

Strategic Review and Action Plan

Chair of GAA Council for Britain

Welcome

Ulster GAA

Purpose of the Day

10.10am OUTCOMES FOR THE SESSION OUTCOMES FOR THE SESSION

By the end of the day we will have worked to develop

• A clearer understanding and appreciation of the challenges that the GAA in Britain face moving forward.

• An appreciation of the need to work together as a Team in Britain.

• A recognition of the need to deliver on the Strategic Vision in Britain and the degree of the dependency on Ulster GAA.

• A strategic framework and action plan that will empower volunteers in the delivery of coaching, games, refereeing, administration and governance.

Rules of Engagement

• Opinions valued• No put downs• Open Mind• Listen... Listen• Communicate concisely• Achieve an action plan• Outside box• Blue sky thinking• Consider how we deliver

Why does Britain need an Action Plan

1. Allows the Province/ County/ Club to go in same direction

2. Allows Members to understand the aspirations

3. Your input - creates Ownership & Identity

4. Identifies Goals & Focus for your activity

5. Assists with the recruitment of new members

6. Helps identify obstacles and ways to negotiate them

7. Allows Ulster the opportunity to plan support

8. Assist with budgeting for support – what is realistic

9. Helps to move towards Sports Council recognition

“ … to have Gaelic games and related GAA activities embedded in sustainable ways in the community and sporting fabric of Britain”

“An Bhratach in Airde sa Bhreatain” is not an action plan. It is instead a framework for the way ahead. p7

It will do that by:1.building and developing its organisational capacity2.strengthening the GAA Club; County and Provincial infrastructure3.developing Gaelic games in schools and Third Level institutions 4.emphasising the cultural and heritage aspects of the Association5.promoting the GAA and its work positively and consistently6.securing the resources needed to deliver this work7.maintaining strong links with the GAA in Ireland.

The mission of the GAA in Britain is to provide the leadership and support needed to help achieve that vision.

“ … to have Gaelic games and related GAA activities embedded in sustainable ways in the community and sporting fabric of Britain”

“An Bhratach in Airde sa Bhreatain” is not an action plan. It is instead a framework for the way ahead. p7

10.30am Provincial Council for Britain- Core Values: Guiding Principles

Inclusion, open and welcome

Irish Identity and role of

Games

Community and Place

Sense of Purpose ?????

BRITAIN GAA CORE VALUES

“ … to have Gaelic games and related GAA activities embedded in sustainable ways

in the community and sporting fabric of Britain”

1. inclusiveness, being open and welcoming to all2. the Irish identity and the role of Gaelic games in it3. the strong underpinnings of the GAA that are based in community and in place4. the sense of purpose and belonging that the GAA offers.

An Bhratach in Airde sa Bhreatain 2007-2012

Structures and GovernanceThe GamesSchools and CollegesGrounds & Physical DevelopmentPromotion and MarketingRelationship with IrelandResources and Finances

what we have learned” Handout

Recommendations: Structures and Governance

1.Retain the current Province/County/Club structure and associated roles/remits 2.Seek a derogation from the “five year officer rule” until 2010 in Britain3.Put in place a “Feile 2012” Planning Committee 4.Provide structured Officer (Chairs; Secretaries; Treasurers; and PROs) and management training at County and Club levels5.Train facilitators in to deliver the Comhairle programme6.Use the twinning arrangement with Ulster to help roll out the Cumann Maith accreditation process (at Club and County levels), under national GAA guidance7.Appoint, on a three/five year contract, a Director for the British Council8.Appoint, on three-year contracts, Development Officers who will work to clear job descriptions, covering the full GAA spectrum from administration to coaching9.Host a biennial Club Forum, rotated around , to discuss strategic issues; improve GAA net-working; and maintain an overview of the implementation of this Strategy10.Use ICT to help combat the distance issues in 11.Develop structures and arrangements which will accommodate the full family of Gaelic games, for both men and women12.All Counties and Clubs to have three/five year developments plans in place by the end of 2008

Recommendations: The Games

1. Each County should publish and implement an annual fixtures programme which provides (a target number of???) games for players of all ages; genders; and gaelic codes: cross-County boundary fixtures should be used where feasible

2. Host an biennial “Coaching the GAA in ” seminar, rotated around , to keep up to date with leading-edge GAA coaching; share good practice within ; and identify new priorities for action

3. Encourage Britain-based coaches to attend the GAA’s annual Coaching Conference4. Recruit Third level College students to coach in Clubs (and prepare/support them via in-College coach

training programmes)5. Organise games between Clubs and Third Level Colleges6. Introduce new competitions at U16 and U18 levels7. Appoint, on three-year contracts, seven County-based Development Officers who will cover the full GAA

spectrum from administration to coaching8. Develop and deliver, possibly based on successful models developed in , week-end/blitz-type competitions

for players at all levels9. Each County should put in place at least one underage Development Squad10. Every British Club should set the target of having a team in the 2012 Feile11. The British GAA Council, supported by the GAA overall, should take the lead on obtaining recognition of

Gaelic games from the Youth Sports Trust and the National Schools Sports Association12. Each County should aim to be self sufficient in the delivery of GAA coaching awards13. Every British Club should set the target of having a team participating in each available level of hurling by

2012

Recommendations: Schools and Colleges

1. Each Club in should put in place a structured Club/school link, based on, at a minimum, the appointment of a dedicated Club/School Support Officer

2. Roll out the “Warwickshire Schools Model” ( including the “Bishop Challoner Eight Week Programme”) across the rest of , as appropriate to local circumstances

3. Develop a pro-active approach to the recruitment of parents to assist with the development and delivery of gaelic activities in the school setting and beyond

4. Recruit Third Level students to provide coaching in school and Club settings5. Maintain and develop the participation of British Colleges in Third Level GAA competitions6. Establish Cumann na mBunscol and second level schools Committees and integrate British

schools into overall Cumann na mBunscol and second level schools competitions7. Implement a coaching license system where each teacher and Third Level student delivering

Gaelic games in schools has a Foundation Level coaching award; a child protection certificate; a First Aid badge; and a police check

8. Encourage teachers and pupils/students to develop projects on GAA-related themes9. Liaise with local education authorities re potential support for Gaelic games in education

settings

Recommendations: Grounds and Physical Development

1. An audit to establish the number of proper GAA pitches (and associated facilities) either owned by, or available to, GAA units in should be carried out

2. Each Club should set and work to a target of having at least one dedicated gaelic games pitch (with appropriate accompanying facilities), vested in the GAA

3. Each County should have reasonable access to a vested , possibly via twinning arrangements with other Counties

4. GAA should agree a programme of support with DION

Recommendations: Culture and Heritage

1. Counties and Clubs should develop and partake in a “Scor An Bhreatain”, at junior and senior levels

2. “Scor An Bhreatain” winners should be invited into the All-Ireland Scor Finals3. All GAA premises should be “branded” as gaelic and Irish, for example via the use of Irish

language signs and gaelic art4. Elements of Irish music; dance; and/or drama should form part of all major GAA programmes

in , eg at Finals; NFL/ games; etc5. The GAA in should collaborate with like-minded organisations in the cultural area, eg CCE and

Conradh na Gaeilge6. Links should be developed with indigenous English, and other, cultural activities7. An annual “The Irish in ” event (eg a lecture; conference; exhibition) should be hosted by the

GAA, and rotated around 8. A cultural aspect should be included in all Britain/Ireland GAA exchanges and tours and as part

of all intra-Britain weekend/blitz-type games competitions

Recommendations: Promotion and Marketing

1. All Counties and Clubs, and the British Council should appoint an active PRO, for whom structured training should be provided

2. All GAA units’ strategic plans should include a focus on PR and marketing, leading to the rolling out of local PR and marketing programmes

3. All units of the Association should put in place, and keep updated, their own dedicated but inter-linked websites

4. The British Council should produce a high quality “This is the GAA” leaflet, outlining what the GAA is and what it does

5. A dedicated page should be sought in both All-Ireland Senior Final match programmes for editorial covering GAA affairs in (the editorial to be provided by the British Council)

6. Positive links with the TV; radio; and press media should be developed at national; County; and Club levels across

7. Specific PR programmes should form part of the competitive visits of all Irish GAA teams to 8. ICT options (eg texting) should be used to full effect9. A specific PR and marketing strategy should be developed for the Feile na Peile in in 201210.The possibility of holding major “national” GAA events in should be considered11.The British Council and each County should publish a newsletter at least twice a year whilst Clubs should

publish one at least four times a year12.Marketing of the GAA in should reflect priorities set and guidance given by the GAA nationally

Recommendations: Resources and Finance

1. All units should put in place a pro-active volunteer recruitment programme2. All County and Club plans should include a clear sense of the costs of their activities and

proposals, with an accompanying outline of how those costs will be met3. The Council of Britain should agree with the Irish government a needs-based three year

funding programme for the GAA in Britain4. Counties and Clubs should open discussions with local government and education to

investigate joint-working and how added resources could be obtained for the GAA5. The Council of Britain should develop, in association with , a sponsorship strategy for the GAA

in Britain6. The Council of Britain should open discussions with the various Sports Councils, using the

experience gained in the northern six Counties in Ulster , as to how Gaelic games can be recognised and supported as an established part of Briain’s sporting fabric

10.40am Where is GAA in Britain today?

1. What are the good things we do that we must keep doing?2. What do we do occasionally that we need to do

consistently? 3. What are the bad things we do that we must stop doing?4. What didn’t we do- that we must start doing?

What are the good things we do that we must keep doing?

What are the bad things we do that we must stop doing?

What do we do occasionally that we need to do consistently?

What didn’t we do- that we must start doing?

12.00pm /REVISE/MERGE/RETAIN THEMES + vote if required

1. Structures and Governance2. The Games3. Schools and Colleges4. Grounds & Physical Development5. Promotion and Marketing6. Relationship with Ireland7. Resources and Finances

12.15pm Consolidate THEMES

Coaching / Refereeing

Games Programme

Governance

Facilities and Infrastructure

Community & Inclusion

Culture & Heritage

Theme - AreaEXAMPLE

2011 2013 2015

GovernanceFit for Purpose

Review Committee SystemCommunication Teams set up

Communications Plan in Place

Coaching and GamesIncrease and Improve our Games

CompetitionsCoach DevelopmentTutor DevelopmentReferees Support

Referee DevelopmentGames ProgrammeSummer Camp ProgrammeTeachers ProgrammesCamogie CampsReferees Academy

Referees AssessorsYoung WhistlersSchools Competitions

Facilities and InfrastructureIncreasing and Improving the GAA Plant: Facilities

Health and Safety AssessmentPartnerships identified

Access GAA moneyGAA Facility in each region

Culture and HeritageEnhancing the Gaelic in the GAA

Reenergise ScórIncrease visibility of Irish Language

Development of Cultural links with Ulster ScotsOpportunities to learn the Irish language

Community Development, Inclusion and CohesionThe End Game, working with Ladies Codes

Strengthen health and wellness and community healthEstablish better link with ladies codes

Integrated Confederation of GAA CodesIntegrated fixtures scheduledIntegrated coach development programmes

Theme - AreaBRITAIN

2012 2013 2015

Provincial Council of Britainin Association with

Ulster GAA

Lunch back 1.15pm

1.15 – 3.13 Action

Consolidate and Agree THEMES

Coaching / Refereeing

Games Programme

Governance

Facilities and Infrastructure

Community & Inclusion

Culture & Heritage

WHAT Needs doing in each theme

• Key Actions (that will be delivered)• Theme 1: Facilities

– Action 1: We will develop a new pitch in Glasgow– Action 2: We will refurbish a pitch in Cardiff– Action 3: We will upgrade changing facilities in Birmingham– Action 4:We will work with local authorities and get joint use of facilities in Dundee

• Theme 2:• Theme 3:• Theme 4:

Handout

Ideas Prompts

Coaching and Refereeing

Action PlanningTheme: Coaching and Refereeing

Action Timing Outcome sought Committee / Person responsible

Led by

1. Tutor Development to help deliver programmes within Britain

March 2011

March 2012

• Tutors Identified• Training delivered

•Tutor In-service

County Boards GDA and Ulster GAA

2. Course Delivery at foundation and awards 1 and 2

June 2011

September 2011

March 2012

March 2013

•Foundation Course delivered Birmingham

•Foundation course Glasgow

•Level 1 Children’s Course Manchester

•Level 1 Youth and Adult Programme Cardiff

•Level 2 Programme

County Boards GDA and Ulster GAA

3. Summer Coaching Programme in major clubs

August 2012 • two week programme•Support from Ulster GAA

County Board GDA

4.

Games

Action PlanningTheme: Games DevelopmentAction Timing Outcome sought Committee Person

responsibleLed by

1.

2

3

4

5

Governance

Action PlanningTheme: Governance and AdministrationAction Timing Outcome sought Committee Person

responsibleLed by

1.

2

3

4

5

Facilities and Infrastructure

Action PlanningTheme: Facilities and InfrastructureAction Timing Outcome sought Committee Person

responsibleLed by

1.

2

3

4

5

Culture and Heritage

Action PlanningTheme: Culture and HeritageAction Timing Outcome sought Committee Person

responsibleLed by

1.

2

3

4

5

• Review of themes and actions proposed

Leadership10%

Council for Britain

County Boards

British Universities

GAA

Ulster GAA

PeopleManagement (9%)

EducationTrainingVetting

Policy &Strategy (8%)

Vision and DirectionAction Plan

Resources (9%)FinancesPeople

Facilities

Process

14%

GovernanceAdministration

DisciplineCompetitions

Results14%

More PlayingGood

DisciplineAdministrationGovernanceStructuresCoachingFacilities

CompetitionsRefereeingMore Clubs

PeopleSatisfaction (9%)

PlayersSpectatorsCoaches

Customer Satisfaction (20%)

PlayersSpectatorsCoaches

Impact on Society (6%)

HealthSocial

Cultural

ENABLERS 50% RESULTS 50%

3.45pm Next Steps - Building for Excellence – Focus on whole System.......

Summary – What Next

• Foreword – President (100 words) - TBD• Background – GAA in Britain - TBD• SWOT Analysis• Key Themes Identified• Key Actions Required• Delivery by to be agreed• Submission to Council for Britain.• Submission to GAA International Committee

OUTCOMES FOR THE SESSION

By the end of the day we will have worked to develop

• A clearer understanding and appreciation of the challenges that the GAA in Britain face moving forward.

• An appreciation of the need to work together as a Team in Canada.

• A recognition of the need to deliver on the Strategic Vision in Britain and the degree of the dependency on Ulster GAA.

• A strategic framework and action plan that will empower volunteers in the delivery of coaching, games, refereeing, administration and governance and matches their vision, goals and objectives.