Kevin O Shaughnessy Building structures for success in urban areas

Overall County Strategy Urban Strategy will only succeed as an integral part Otherwise House Divided Focus on Juvenile

“Club is King”

Definition of a Successful GAA County = Strength of it’s GAA Clubs =Capacity to embrace all Communities If an initiative doesn’t benefit the club why are we doing it? Club Centric Only constant in the GAA life of a member

The Club

Urban environment = Competitive environment Greater Choice Facilities Challenge Parental Ambition

Traditional Parish/Community Loyalty Challenged Conflicting Loyalties

Urban Strategy Components Bottom Up – Start at Nursery/Go Games – Lose at Nursery/Go Games Lose Forever Club Positioning – Embracing New Members – Family Package – Reflecting Values of all the Community

Urban Strategy Components Facilities – Closeness to Community – Local Authorities – Child/Female Friendly Volunteer Strategy – Are we willing to share power – Education for new entrants to GAA

Urban Strategy Components Games Programme – Foundation – Certainty of Delivery at Juvenile Level Program Embrace Different Abilities – Must be facilitated by County Structures Attractive to majority of clubs in the County – Children choose Sports to Play not to Train

Urban Strategy Components Player Focused – All Clubs not Equal – Endeavour to Equalise Player Opportunities

County Plan Urban Plan – Club Collaboration – Sum of Club Plans – Rivalry is for the Playing Pitch Club Plan

Rationale behind the planning process What is the vision of success? What are the key success factors? What are the critical challenges? Develop new club plan Implement the plan What is the current situation in the club What are the club values? What is the club mission? What are its resources?/ A club audit A SWOT analysis Analyse the current situation Design a new way forward Implementation of plan