A meeting of Coiste Bainistí of CLG Loch Garman was held in Chadwicks Wexford Park on the evening of Thursday September 26. Matters discussed were:
Matchday operations
Recent unacceptable behaviour by teenagers and younger people during matches at Chadwicks Wexford Park was discussed, and all agreed that action is needed to prevent re-occurrences. A number of measures already agreed were outlined:
- Strict enforcement of the policy that U16s will be admitted for free only if accompanied by an adult.
- Unaccompanied U16s to be subject to an entry charge and all stadium rules.
- Right reserved to eject those found engaging in unacceptable behaviour anywhere in the ground, including the car park.
- Parents/guardians in the ground to be reminded they are responsible at all times for the behaviour of the U16s they bring to matches.
It was agreed that the entry fee for unaccompanied U16s will be the corresponding entry fee for students on that day.
It was further agreed that members of Coiste Bainistí will supplement the usual stewarding team at all fixtures, and that new stewarding and gate procedures will take effect from this weekend onwards.
All affirmed that Wexford GAA seeks to provide a safe and family atmosphere for all attending our games, and will take all necessary steps to achieve this. There will be zero tolerance of unacceptable behaviour.
Official opening of refurbished Chadwicks Wexford Park
It was confirmed that the official opening of the refurbished Chadwicks Wexford Park by Uachtarán CLG, Jarlath Burns, will take place on Sunday October 13th.
The provisional programme for the day is the playing of the Irish Independent Minor Hurling Championship Premier Final, followed by the opening ceremony, followed by a semi-final of the Dominic Smith Expert Electrical Senior Football Championship. RTÉ Sunday Sport will have an Outside Broadcast Unit in attendance.
A discussion was had on other preparations for the day, and a plan was agreed on all necessary actions.
Memorandum of Agreement with Wexford Camogie and LGFA
The chairman noted that a positive meeting has taken place with Wexford Camogie and LGFA to advance plans for the implementation of our MOA at the Halo Tiles Centre of Excellence. We are awaiting news regarding our application under for the Large Scale Sports Infrastructure Funding to complete the final phase of the centre which is crucial for the successful implementation of the agreement.
The chairman also outlined that he has met with Wexford County Council regarding the development in Killeens in Wexford town and that he has emphasised the importance of an equity of support for providing facilities for gaelic games in the county, amidst concerns among members that there is currently an imbalance regarding the development of facilities for other codes. The chairman further emphasised that Wexford GAA has invested significantly in facilities and coaching projects with support from GAA nationally.
It was noted that Wexford Camogie made a request for the use of Chadwicks Wexford Park for their Senior Championship Final on the first weekend of October. They were offered the evening of Friday October 4th under floodlights as the venue is needed for quarter-finals of the Pettitt’s Senior Hurling Championship on both Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th, but chose not to take up this offer.
CLG Loch Garman also indicated a willingness to explore the possibility of a camogie/hurling double-header, but again this offer was not accepted.
Underage finals at Chadwicks Wexford Park
It was agreed that the staging of U12 and U14 Finals at Chadwicks Wexford Park was a huge success, with many exciting matches being played and it being a thrill for the young players to have the use of the new dressing rooms and playing under floodlights in the county ground.
Unfortunately, worsening weather conditions and consequent fears for the playing surface have meant that other finals have had to be moved to other venues.
