Unleashing 'The Blue Wave' A Strategy for Dublin GAA - Croke Park

A STRATEGY FOR DUBLIN GAA 2011-2017
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Dublin’s 1,223 youth teams comprise c 8.5% of all registered teams
in 2009.
■ Central Council generated gross revenues of €66.7 million in 2009
of which €43.3million was distributed to provincial councils, county
boards and clubs via various programmes.
It is nonetheless a valid observation that the level of funding that has
traditionally been allocated to Dublin is considerably less than would be
warranted based on any population, activity, or revenue analysis.
The Strategic Committee believes that there should be a mutual recognition
of the interdependent relationship between Dublin’s ambitions for the GAA
in the capital city and the overall wellbeing of the Association. It will require
Dublin County Board to step up to its responsibility to implement the
strategic initiatives recommended in this review. It will also require Central
Council to embrace a different funding model, one which addresses the
strategic significance of Dublin.
One way of addressing this issue is for the GAA to extend Provincial status
to Dublin for certain purposes including:
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providing a long-term commitment to an agreed minimum annual
level of funding, commensurate with the development challenge for
the GAA in Dublin, to support games development, and club and
county infrastructure development.
affording the Chairman of the Dublin Co Board permanent
representation on Coisti Banaistí.
The Strategic Committee is confident that Central Council will achieve a
strong return on its investment in Dublin GAA. In the short term this return
will see the attendances by Dublin fans grow and continue to underpin
match day income for Central Council, Leinster Council and Páirc an
Chrócaigh Teo. In planning for the longer term the investment from Central
Council will help Dublin achieve an increased market share over and above
the increase in the population. This increase in market share and the
greater interest in Gaelic games will in turn continue to generate
much-needed income for other units of the Association from increased
attendances at games.
3.10 Challenges from the increase of the Dual player
The growth in hurling at all ages has led to a considerable challenge for the
County Committee. The fact that all of the major clubs are now catering for
dual players, is somewhat unique to the GAA in Dublin and adds to the task
of the County Committee. It must now cater for the growth of the two codes
at a time of significant population growth when more and more children
want to play our games.
Dublin GAA’s response to these myriad of challenges and issues is set out in
the next section:
Unleashing “The Blue Wave”: Our Action Plan
The Blue Wave of Hill 16 is synonymous with the vibrancy and energy of the
championship come summer, and inspires the goals, dreams and ambitions
of every young child in Dublin who plays Gaelic games and who aspires to
play before the adoring fans of the Hill.
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