Bulletin following County Board Meeting on 16 November 2021.
Halo Tiles Wexford GAA Centre of Excellence
In deciding not to accept their own inspector’s recommendation to grant permission, An Bord Pleanála refused planning permission because they considered that the proposed development would be contrary to national and local planning policy in respect of regional roads.
Wexford GAA have commenced the process to engage with the Local Authority, Public Representatives and the necessary professionals in relation to the matter and have attempted to contact the objectors to discuss their concerns.
Wexford GAA remains committed to developing a centre of excellence and inclusion that meets the needs of Gaelic games within our county as part of our Strategic Plan.
Coaching Structures
The current coaching structures are under review with meetings planned over the coming weeks to consider the most appropriate coaching structure. The objectives of our GPO program are to increase participation levels and to improve coaching within clubs. While participation has increased, it is felt that there is not enough focus on club coaching within the current structures. There are also difficulties in respect of the recruitment and retention of GPOs in the current environment and ensuring equity to all clubs in the county that need to be addressed.
There are currently vacancies for three GPOs within Wexford. The recruitment process is ongoing to fill these vacancies.
2021 Championship Review
The Master Fixtures Plan is expected to be approved by Central Council on 20 November 2021. It is planned that Wexford Club Championship structures for 2022 will be considered at the January meeting of the County Board. In advance of this meeting, proposals for consideration will be sought from clubs and the current CCC. A committee comprising of members from the County Board and club players will also be formed to consider the Wexford split season together with league and championship structures with the aim to bring a proposal forward to the County Board.
Referees
There are currently 24 new referee recruits of whom 20 have completed the first two online training modules and 2 have pulled out. There are still nine clubs who do not have an active referee nor a recruit currently undergoing training. These clubs – Bannow-Ballymitty, Davidstown-Courtnacuddy, Ferns-St. Aidan’s, Glynn-Barntown, Shamrocks, St. Anne’s Rathangan, St. Mary’s Rosslare, St. Mogue’s Fethard and Taghmon-Camross – have been requested to trawl their membership again for prospective candidates.
The next stage in the training is an in-person training module facilitated by Croke Park – a date for this has yet to be finalised – followed by a final online module.
Demographics & Participation Taskforce
The Demographics & Participation Taskforce have a report drafted of their findings. They are currently waiting on nine clubs to return their demographics survey in order to finalise their report – Clonee, Ferns-St. Aidan’s, Glynn-Barntown, HWH Bunclody, Marshalstown-Castledockrell, Oylegate-Glenbrien, Rapparees-Starlights, Shamrocks and St. John’s Volunteers. This report will be key to examining current population and participation trends so as to consider how we increase and maintain sustainable participation in all clubs, build capacity in the growing areas of population, assist clubs to stay in existence in the areas of depopulation and to monitor and report on trends over medium to long term.
Appointment of Officers
It was agreed to recommend Kevin Doyle as Planning & Training Officer and Des Croke as Children’s Officer for appointment at County Convention on 6 December 2021. David Tobin was appointed to the new role of County Safety and Facilities Officer that came into force following Special Congress.
Upcoming Dates
30 November 2021 Coiste na nÓg Annual Meeting
6 December 2021 County Convention