Wexford GAA Management Committee
Meeting 13/02/2017, Ferrycarrig Hotel
Update from the Chairman
The Chairman and the County Secretary have met recently with Club Wexford to discuss its relationship with the County Board. It was noted that our sponsors play a key role in supporting teams, coaching and infrastructure within the county and that there is a heartening level of interest among potential new sponsors to enter into agreements with the Board. The Wexford Supporters’ Group has also meet met with and it was agreed the further commercial sponsorship opportunities should be actively explored. The broader issue of the regulation of turnstile passes was also discussed and it was agreed that standardised passes for matches within the county should be the norm.
Coaching Update
The budget allocation for minor and under 17 teams was discussed and it was agreed that proper budgeting oversight for all teams is a key element of good financial management. Additional coaching resources would be welcomed and there will be a discussion with Leinster Council regarding the funding of any potential coaching positions. The coaching committee is also looking at other fundraising options to support underage squads
Infrastructure Update
Phase 2 of the Ferns Centre of Excellence main building completion is underway and plastering is being finished at the moment. It is intended to have phase 2 complete before the hurling Féile. All four dressing rooms are now available for use and additional toilet facilities will be needed to cater for the Féile crowds; a number of options are being considered in this regard. A new round of Sports Capital Grant funding is open for applications and it is understood that a number of clubs are considering making an application under this. Maintenance of St. Patrick’s Park in Enniscorthy was discussed; it is likely that re-sodding will be needed to improve the state of the playing surface which receives heavy use. If this is proceeded with, the field will be closed to activity for a number of weeks. The intention to refurbish the press box in Wexford Park, once the Ferns COE is complete, was reiterated.
Club night Fridays
The issue of keeping Friday nights free from squads training in order to ensure that clubs could have all their players together was raised at the County Board and was discussed. It was recognised that achieving a training schedule balance is particularly difficult for clubs that have a large number of players based outside the county and the Chairman has raised this issue with under 21 management to see whether a compromise can be reached that helps all parties.
Challenge matches
The Committee approved the application by Kilmore to host a Wexford senior hurling challenge on Sunday 26 February to mark the opening of its new facilities. The match will be against Waterford at 3.15pm and the senior football match in Wexford Park, also against Waterford, will throw in at 1pm. Clubs seeking to host such challenge matches are required to submit an application in writing to the County Secretary and the Management Committee will then discuss and decide on the application. There is a limit however on how many such applications can be approved in a given season due to the packed schedules already in existence. It was agreed to convene a small group to make recommendations for detailed criteria to assist the Management Committee in deciding on such applications, particularly where there are a number of applications to consider.
Correspondence
- Croke Park has written to all counties regarding a county ground “Pitch of the Year” assessment process.
- Very positive feedback has been received from Limerick GAA and RTE on the arrangements and hospitality for Sunday’s Division 1B hurling league match.
- The Board has been approached about allowing club access to its playing facilities in Enniscorthy (St. Patrick’s Park and the showgrounds field opposite). This will be looked into.
Other business
An update on planning for the hurling Féile was given and it was noted that Coiste na nÓg will have its first county board meeting of the year on Tuesday 14 February.
The membership of the Health and Wellbeing committee was ratified as follows:
- Mary Doyle, Chairperson (Oulart-The Ballagh)
- Jim McCarthy (Volunteers)
- Seamus Kennelly (Realt na Mara –Ballygarrett)
- Lizzie Kent (Adamstown)
The Scór Sinsear finals will take place on Friday 3 March in Oulart and the table quiz element will take place in St. Martin’s GAA Piercestown on Thursday 9 March. It was recognised that Scór is an integral part of the GAA and that participation in both events should be actively promoted within Wexford GAA.
