GAA president Christy Cooney addressed delegates at Congress 2010 at the Slieve Donard Hotel in Newcastle, Co Down, on Saturday afternoon. Below is the full text of his speech.
Introduction
A Chairde Gael, Dia ‘is Muire daoibh go léir agus fáilte romhaibh anseo inniú. When I addressed Congress last year we were in the early days of celebrating the 125th anniversary of our great Association. Today after spending a year in the role of the Uachtáran, I stand before you with-
• Great Pride in being part of such an outstanding organisation
• Great confidence in the people I have met and worked with.
• Great optimism for the next 125 years of the Association, that will continue to grow and prosper into the future. Molaim sibh go léir.
Section One-Club
Ag Éisteacht Programme
Last year at Congress I announced that the Ard Stiúrthóir and I would engage in a consultation process throughout the Association that would see us visit Clubs to listen to the views of our members on all areas of the Association.
The format is simple; up to 20 members in the Club including players, coaches, officers, members of Camogie/ Ladies Football, meet with either myself or the Ard Stiúrthóir for about two hours and we review and discuss the key topics of the day in the Association.
Some of the discussions and debates have focused on:
• The use of hurling helmets
• Concern about the frequency and certainty of Club fixtures
• Differing opinions on pitch invasions in Croke Park
• Concerns around the roll out of GO Games
• Relations with our inter-county players and the GPA
• Role of County team managers
Sa bhliain atá thart thug Páraic is mé féin cuairt ar 35 Chlub in Éirinn agus thar lear in áiteanna mar San Francisco agus An Bhreatain ag éisteacht leis ár mbaill.
We have learnt a lot from this process and have fed these insights back to our Coiste Bainistí and Ard Chomhairle to ensure that the major decision making forums are kept informed of the needs and opinions of our most important units - namely our Clubs.
Club Planning
One by-product of the programme has been the number of Clubs who are now in the process of developing their own Club plans to compliment the strategic work that is being done at every other level of the Association.
The work being undertaken by units such as Baile Gharbhain i gCorcaigh, Eadon Doire i Uíbh Fháilí agus Maigh Nuad i gCill Dara, to name but three, has been hugely encouraging and it is our aim to ensure that all of our Clubs map out their own futures over the next number of years
Ár gClubanna – Croí an Chumainn
I outlined last year the importance I intended to place on the role of our Clubs within the overall structures of the Association and this remains a top priority. In recognition of this, we unveiled “Falla na gClub” at the entrance to our museum in Croke Park which highlights the Clubs’ special place at the heart of the Association.
I see the Club as the entry point to involvement with the GAA and it’s also where we all finish. Membership of it binds us together and it is a reflection of everyone who is proud to proclaim membership of it. It is of us and we are of it. Is sinne an Club.
One of the key messages I have learnt from my Club visits has been the need for a re-focus in relation to where the Club lies in everything we do.
My view is based on the belief that our CLUBS represent CROÍ AN CHUMAINN and we must empower and equip our Clubs to manage their own affairs and to strive for self sufficiency in everything that they do.
We must assist our Clubs by:
• Aiding them in devising short and long term plans and strategies that chart a future path for them and their ongoing positioning at the hearts of the communities they serve.
• Providing a clearly defined pathway to coaching excellence from nursery level to adult grades helping to provide Clubs with ready made internal candidates to fill coaching positions as they arise.
• Offering players of all levels and abilities the chance to be the best that they can be through interaction and engagement with well trained and qualified coaches.
• Embracing all sections of the wider GAA family to operate under one Club banner if and where it suits. The majority of our Clubs cater for men and women and this should be encouraged.
This is not an overnight initiative but one that has the potential to bolster efficiency and pride and crucially tackle the growing and worrying practice of looking outside a given Club in the mistaken belief that external input and this alleged expertise is somehow better than home grown life-long commitment.
Section 2- Fixtures
We are members of an Association that provides games for people all over the country. A key priority for me is the provision of a balanced series of games for our players at all levels. This is what our players want and this is what we will deliver. John Greene and his National Fixtures Planning Committee have made great progress in this regard.
In the past year we have identified and trained 72 fixtures planners, who will continue to analyse the fixtures plan in each County and will advise the CCCC in each County on ways to improve the Fixtures Plan for the forthcoming year.
On every Club visit that I have made this year I have enquired about the fixtures schedule in that County and it is clear that we have work to do in a number of Counties. Our new planners are being put in place to meet the needs and requirements of players. Regular games are of utmost importance in giving players the ability to plan and also in providing them with a structured playing season which is a paramount to maintaining interest levels and improving standards.
These efforts will be assisted by the transfer of the Association’s fixtures management system to a single IT platform “Serva Sport” to allow us to track and assess the performance of each County in the provision of fixtures. This year will see 16 Counties move to the new system with the remainder of the Counties and Britain following next year.
This will allow us to satisfy the requirements of our players and our Clubs - A real step forward in this most challenging of areas.
Of course without referees we have no fixtures – at any level. Our referees are every bit as important as the players who play our games and I want to acknowledge their all important role, sometimes in difficult and trying circumstances.
This year we launched a Strategic Plan for refereeing covering all aspects of the administration and organisation of this crucial sector.
We have introduced an age limit for our inter-county referees and we have set out our stall about where we want to go with refereeing. We know what we want from our referees and crucially, they know too.
Section 3 - An Inclusive environment for our games
Respect Initiative
I said earlier in the year at the launch of our Respect Initiative that I wouldn’t launch a more important campaign this year and it’s a view I re-affirm today.
The aim of the project is to ensure that players, coaches, referees, officials and members at all levels of the Association are treated with respect when they are participating in our activities.
This is a challenge and we decided to take a graduated approach here to trial initiatives, and adapt them before rolling them out across the entire Association.
A sea change is required here if these efforts are to bear fruit but we have made a determined start.
Players and managers have a role to play here too. Our players must buy into the spirit of our games and that means playing to the highest levels while recognising the importance of adhering to our rules.
Similarly, managers must bear responsibility for how teams are prepared and trained and accept their role in coaching players to play within the rules.
We all accept and appreciate the cut and thrust involved in trying to reach the top and the desire and appetite that exists amongst our top players to reach the pinnacle.
We wouldn’t want it any other way.
The question I pose is, does this have to be attempted or achieved by use of an approach that pays scant regard to the rules of our games? Our inter-county and Club footballers and hurlers can be superb role models for our underage players and I urge managers to recognise this when they train and prepare teams.
Our players want us to succeed with this.
Their parents want this.
Our officials want this - we must and we will deliver this.
Child Welfare and Protection
Much has been written and recorded on an almost weekly basis about the responsibilities we all have for the welfare and safety of children in our care. We recognise and accept that such responsibilities apply to us in the GAA and we have to set about taking a leadership role in this. I am particularly pleased to report to Congress that in the last year, having carefully considered our child welfare and protection structures, we have not just achieved but in many instances surpassed our own expectations in implementing progressive welfare measures that are integrated into the delivery of our games and other support services.
Our achievements since last year’s Congers include;
• The delivery of a new GAA and Sports Council joint training workshops for all persons working with children in the Association.
• The implementation of a Code of Best Practice and a Joint Code of Behaviour catering for the entire Gaelic Games family.
• The commencement in all Counties of the vetting of adults working with children in the GAA resulting in its first year in the successful vetting of more than 12,000 people in the Association.
• The publication of our new Guidelines for Dealing with Allegations of Abuse policy document which will assist all units of the Association should any such allegations arise and the commencement of appointing specific Children's Officers at Club and County level who with the assistance of our National Children's Office will oversee and promote all of this activity.
Much can be said about how we may have advanced child welfare and safety in the GAA, particularly in recent years. Rather than threatening our volunteer base I firmly believe that it has in fact done the opposite. We can justifiably say that the GAA is now a safer, healthier and more enjoyable place for children and young people to play our games and participate in our many other social activities under the careful and caring guidance of our volunteer coaches and long may this last. It’s worth being mindful of the seanfhocal. "Mól an óige agus tiocfaidh sí" agus ná déanaigí dearmad ar an seanfhocal.
Inclusion (Ulster)
As an Association one of our greatest strengths is the appeal of our games to people of all ages and backgrounds. The games of football and hurling in particular resonate with Irish people and are attractive by their very nature.
However, we cannot rely on the quality of our games alone to ensure the ongoing popularity of our Association. The Ireland of 2010 is a changed place in many ways and we must respond to that change.
The appointment of a full time Inclusion and Integration Officer in Tony Watene underlines our commitment at national level to trying to promote our games with non-traditional and new communities.
It is fitting that while in Co. Down that I should single out the Ulster Council in particular for their ongoing efforts to broaden the appeal of our games as part of attempts to offer a sporting outlet to people and communities who traditionally may not have had an interest in our activities.
Changing times on this island have presented us with opportunities that would not have been possible a decade ago and I laud the Ulster Council for the energy and tact they have shown in attempting to make the most of these chances.
Schemes such as the Cuchulainn initiative which has catered for students of the two main traditions in the North, have been a huge success.
We are realistic in our expectations for schemes such as this and this is important. We have a role to play but it is just that - a role – in the wider push for a tolerant and all-inclusive society.
Section 4 – Support Structures
Over the course of the last year we have worked hard on a number of projects and initiatives aimed at improving how we conduct our affairs and how we offer support to those who work tirelessly on our behalf – the vast majority of them in a voluntary capacity.
Communications
Significant progress has been made in the area of Communications over the past 12 month period. Following on from a re-structuring of the department a number of important projects were embarked upon.
• We now have a comprehensive Communications Strategy
• We have launched our new and vastly improved website at gaa.ie, which is the public face of the GAA to a global audience.
• The full roll out of our new Google email system is now complete and a 100% uptake from uptake from our Clubs has been recorded.
The completion of these three projects is a massive boost not only to the image of the Association but to how we conduct our affairs and it’s important that we remain to the fore in this area in the months and indeed years ahead.
Mar sin ba mhaith liom buíochas a ghabhail ach go hairithe leis an gcoiste Cumarsáide agus Eolas Teicneolaíochta as on sar-obair a rinne siad le bliain anuas.
Finance
These are challenging times for everyone in Ireland and indeed further afield both in our personal and professional lives regardless of what sector we operate in.
No one or no organisation is immune to the prevailing circumstances. Nonetheless, 2009 was a hugely positive year for the Association both in the area of attendances and finance.
Our attendances were actually up 4,000 year on year from 2008 and although these crowds did not generate the same revenue because of our various ticket initiatives, this was a hugely encouraging result.
We also recorded our highest ever turnover.
Nonetheless like everyone else we are facing into a testing year.
Regardless of the excellent value we offer patrons, the fact remains that traveling to our games and other related costs are now placing more of a drain on families than previously.
All told, we must be prudent in how we manage our finances in the year and indeed years ahead. However, it has always been thus. We must also be imaginative and creative in seeking new ways that ensure our stadium continues to generate revenues streams in times of heightened competition.
Much has been made of the departure of other sporting codes from Páirc An Chrócaigh with the completion of Lansdowne Road now on the horizon. However, this development will not impact on the day to day running of the Association.
The funds generated by these games were ring fenced and put aside for investment in infrastructural development. They were viewed as a one off special fund or bonus and not mixed with the costs of the daily running of the GAA.
We have come through tough periods before and despite the afterglow of a most successful 2009, we will be in the right frame of mind for the challenges that the remainder of 2010 and 2011 throws at us.
I caution both Clubs and Counties to exercise prudence also and I appreciate fully the challenges that lie in store in the areas of sponsorship, fundraising and of course expansion – especially in light of the freeze on Lottery
Capital Funding. We understand that some element of government funding may become available towards the end of the year and we would warmly welcome such a development.
We have the know-how and resolve to emerge from this challenging period but we must manage the situation carefully.
Lastly, like our units up and down the country, our sponsors are important to us. They help us continue to support the development of our games throughout the Association. I would encourage all members to continue to support our sponsors at all levels in recognition of their continued support for our Association.
Player Welfare/ GPA
This year we concluded a Heads of Agreement with the GPA after many years of discussion.
I believe we can work together and maintain both our amateur ethos and the importance of the volunteer in a modern vibrant Association focused on delivering the best possible playing experience for our players at all levels. We have already announced some key joint initiatives in this area.
We are working together now in developing a comprehensive agreement to put in place a framework for a long term relationship that respects our values and traditions. We will have this completed in September of this year.
Our success in reaching a basis for agreement with our players will be looked on as being of major significance in years to come. The interim arrangement acknowledges the special contribution that our inter-county players make to the Association as a whole and the great lengths that they go to in making this contribution.
It is well documented that we were never comfortable agreeing to a funding system that was percentage based.
However, through talks and the important contribution of Turlough O Donnell, SC, who assisted in a voluntary capacity, we were able to identify a way forward that allowed us to fund the GPA in delivering player welfare programmes for our inter county players, and in the process ensuring the commitment of the player’s body to our amateur and voluntary ethos.
The arrangement was the product of a relationship that has improved over a period of time and it recognises the importance of looking after our players properly. The GPA’s stated goal of promoting all aspects of player welfare and the provision of a collective voice for inter-county players complements our own ambitions in this regard.
We are not finished yet. We are working together attempting to finalise arrangements for the different strands of the agreement. A positive series of meetings was worked through to get us to where we are, and we will continue in this vein until all parties concerned are pleased with the outcome.
Mar a duirt mé táimid ar an mbóthar ceart agus le cunamh Dé, beidh an dá thaobh sásta ag deireadh an lae.
GAA Player Injury Scheme
The continued rise of the cost of the players’ injury claims to a figure in excess of €10m as against an income of €9m has required significant change to be incorporated into the workings of the scheme to ensure its survival. These changes have been conveyed to all Clubs and came into effect from Feb 1 2010
Securing the future of the GAA Injury Scheme is of paramount importance. It has grown from very humble beginnings in 1929 into a €10 million plus scheme and it has no rival in Irish sporting circles.
It was never intended to fully compensate our players for injury but to supplement other schemes such as Personal Accident or Health Insurance and there is no legal obligation on the GAA to provide such a Scheme.
Risk is an inherent factor in sport, as in life.
We are lucky as an organisation to have such a scheme which has no comparable equivalent. It is a scheme which is entirely self funded by Club, County and GAA funds.
I have requested a full review of the scheme to see how best we can use the funds however I do believe that many Clubs/Counties may have to make a much larger contribution to the scheme.
Use of Club Property
The use of our Club properties is governed in rule and is unambiguous. Our facilities are for use by our teams for the promotion of our games only and this stipulation, which is clearly outlined in the Official Guide, must be adhered to by all of our units, regardless of what level they operate at.
My views on the use of Croke Park were well known in the run up to the vote to temporarily amend Rule 42 in 2005 but I think anyone would find it hard to argue that opening up the stadium to other sporting codes has not had a positive effect on the Association for a variety of reasons.
I am acutely aware of the presence of a number of motions on the Clár today in relation to the ongoing use of the Páirc An Chrócaigh. However, I must stress that these propose to oversee the management of Croke Park and Croke Park only. They concern no other GAA facility.
Once again I point to existing rules in this area and remind our members of the importance of upholding them.
Handball Centre
I stood here 12 months ago and said that we would not be found wanting in the area of investment if and where it was needed even in the current challenging circumstances and that is a view I retain.
One example of our commitment to push ahead with an upgrade of our facilities is our planned redevelopment of the National Handball Centre to be ready to host the 2012 World Championships. We are currently in talks with the residents over our plans and this badly needed redevelopment is part of our long terms plans for Handball. I recently attended Handball’s Congress and asked for all property to be vested in the Association and be managed accordingly – in keeping with directives that govern all of our facilities and property.
Strong Clubs mean a strong Cumann Lúthchleas Gael and this new approach of the ‘total’ or ‘self-sufficient’ Club is one that will feature high on our agenda for the remainder of my Presidential tenure.
As part of our commitment to widen our net by introducing as many members as possible to all of our codes, we will assist GAA Handball in the organisation of Handball Week later in the year to bring as many of our existing members and footballers, hurlers and camógs into contact with the game. If some of our players chose to dabble in other sporting or leisurely activity during their close season, why shouldn’t it be Handball?
This is a further example of our efforts to provide our members with as many options and facilities under the wider GAA umbrella.
Section 5 – Committees – Ár gCoistí
Táimid an-bhuíoch dár gcoistí go léir. We are indebted to our committees, who work so hard behind the scenes in a multitude of areas to enhance the work we do across a wide spectrum.
It is not typical to mention the outstanding work being completed by committees after one year, but I could not speak at this forum without highlighting some of the outstanding work being completed across the Association by some of our volunteers.
It is not appropriate to highlight all the work being completed by all of the committees at this time, but it is correct to underline the workload of our Infrastructure, Urban Planning and Disciplinary Committees, all of whom have made significant contribution during the early stages of their existence. Go raibh maith agaibh a chairde.
Section 6 – Buíochas
We could not gather here in Co. Down for the 2010 Annual Congress and not acknowledge the fact that Iar Uachtarán Pádraig Ó Fainín is not amongst us as he normally would be.
His contribution over such a prolonged period, and in particular as Uachtarán during a crucial time for the Association, was immense and his passing and the expertise, knowledge and charisma that he has taken with him, has left a void.
Ar Dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.
Expanded role for Central Council and loss of key members
Between the annual gathering that is Congress, the policy and decision making body of the Association is Central Council and to this body and its members a debt of gratitude is owed.
The role of Central Council has been expanded in recent times and their key input to the affairs and activities of the Association will continue.
Owing to the five year rule we will lose as many as 17 members this year – some of them who have served for lengthy periods lending their expertise, wisdom and knowledge in guiding the Association.
Such men include Ger McKenna, PS Ó Riain, Séamus Ó Briain, Tom Downes and Dan McCartan. Combined, they have devoted service longer than the lifespan of the Association itself.
They have helped to set sky-high standards and their input will be missed.
I would like to acknowledge the hard work and commitment of all members of Central Council and Coiste Bainistí over the past 12 months in addition to all of the committees that work diligently behind the scenes for the betterment of the Association.
I would also like to highlight the hard work and dedication of our team of staff at Croke Park and PCT who work hard to compliment the graft of our committees and volunteers.
A special word of thanks is also due to Joan Cooney for her assistance and help over the course of the last 12 months and for her role in organising Congress as ever.
Finally, I would like to thank our Ard Stiúrthóir Páraic Duffy for his unstinting work and for the excellent leadership that he provides for the Association. Go raibh maith agat a Pháraic.
Strategic Plan
In November 2008 we launched our blue print for our future - Our Strategic Vision and Action Plan which will assist the Association reach its potential over the next six years. I am happy to report that we completed 96% of our targets last year.
One aspect that is particularly pleasing is the planning culture that has become engrained in the Association over the past year. All provinces now have five year plans in place and over 16 Counties have completed five year plans with the remainder due for completion prior to year end.
Over the last 12 months our Strategic Plans have been extended to include our overseas units after a thorough consultation process headed by Iar Uachtarán Seosamh MacDonnacha. This work is crucial as part of our attempts to ensure that our international presence remains on a strong footing in the years ahead.
A key initiative I would like to promote is the concept of each County hosting an annual Club forum to review their plan eight weeks prior to their County Convention. This will allow our Clubs review and assess the progress of our county Plans and allow them to modify and adapt the Plan if appropriate on an annual basis,
Chomh maith le sin. Caithimid aghaidh a thabhairt ar dúshlán eile atá ann i gcónaí -sé sin-caomhnú agus cur chun cinn ár dteanga agus gcultúr. Iarraim oraibh gach iarracht a dhéanamh insan obair thabhachtach seo.
Deireadh
I approach the second year of my tenure with confidence and energy enthused as I have been by the excellent work that is taking place throughout the Association, much of it away from the glare of the media but never taken for granted by us.
As previously stated the re-alignment of the Club to the very heart of the Association’s activities is a major priority for me.
I cannot stress enough the need for what I believe is a process of getting back to basics in placing most value on what we nurture and develop internally when it comes to playing and coaching resources.
The idea of self sufficient Clubs that look to their own when needs arise is an appealing one to me. Many of our Club units operate on this basis already. Others find it more difficult and we have to assist these Club units.
While Clubs must show real leadership traits and lead from the front on this, it is imperative that our County officers are also pulling in the same direction on this issue. They too have a major role to play in helping us to re-evaluate the importance of promoting from within.
We have to re-affirm the importance of working with, and when possible, winning with our own. We must get away from the growing practice of looking outside our Clubs and Counties for supposed expertise when very often the internal option is the one we should be taking.
In recent years a fascination with external recruitment, particularly at management and coaching level, has taken root in parts of our Association.
In many cases it is an attempt at a quick fix solution and one that dilutes the home grown ethos that underpins the GAA, I say to you: Ar scath a cheile a mhairimid.I further say to you. FÁNAIGÍ SA BHAILE, FÁNAIGÍ SA CHLUB.
Are we up for the challenge ? and if so let us do something about it together.
Our Clubs have served us well for 125 years and have provided us with the bedrock on which every other strand of the Association is built.
I look forward to working with them and all of you in the months ahead and enshrining the role of the Club for the betterment of the Association as a whole.
This work has already started and I look forward to its continued roll out.
Ar aghaidh len ár gCluichí.